Datasets:

AriyanH22

/

data_5

like 0

According to a report from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), global warming is happening at a quicker pace than anticipated due to the rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2000, driven by fast economic growth. Emissions from burning fossil fuels have been rising by about 3 percent per year since 2000, compared to 1 percent per year in the 1990s. CSIRO scientist Mike Raupach stated that one of the main reasons for the acceleration in emissions is the fact that more carbon is being burned for every dollar of wealth generated worldwide. This has led to climate change progressing faster than previously predicted by studies conducted in the 1990s and early 2000s. Raupach, along with an international team of experts, was brought together by the Global Carbon Project to measure global carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption. According to the report, the global carbon emissions from carbon dioxide have significantly increased from 6 billion metric tons in 1995 to nearly 8 billion metric tons in 2005. As countries progress through industrial development, they go through a phase of high and inefficient use of fossil fuels. While efficiencies improve along this development path, they eventually plateau. Industrialized nations like Australia and the US have reached this plateau, while developing countries like China are still in the intensive development phase. Since the industrial revolution, the US and Europe have been responsible for more than half of global emissions over the past two centuries, with China contributing less than 8 percent, as per the CSIRO report. The report stated that the 50 least-developed nations only contributed less than 0.5 percent of global emissions over a span of 200 years. It was noted that on average, individuals in Australia and the United States emit over 5 tons of carbon per year, whereas in China it is only 1 ton per year. Raupach emphasized the importance of considering both current and historical emissions when negotiating global reductions, stating that emissions reductions must be feasible and fair to be effective. The CSIRO report revealed that Australia's per capita emissions are one of the highest in the world, mainly due to its heavy reliance on fossil-fuel generated electricity and the use of cars and trucks for transportation. According to Raupach, there is still a long way to go in reducing emissions to achieve CO2 stabilization. Australia's improvements in energy efficiency have not kept pace with other developed countries. Like the United States, Australia has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, calling for a global scheme to replace it due to the exclusion of major developing nations like India and China from binding emission targets. China is the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, following the United States. Negotiations for the next phase of the Kyoto agreement have not begun in earnest yet. India and China are against binding targets and are calling for wealthy nations, especially the United States, to make significant cuts in emissions.

Scientists studying the bones of fish that perished when a 6-mile-wide asteroid hit Earth have concluded that the creatures died in spring. This discovery was made by Melanie During, a graduate student at Uppsala University in Sweden and lead author of a paper published in the journal Nature. The asteroid strike, which occurred just over 66 million years ago off the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, marked the end of the reign of dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period. While the mass extinction that followed wiped out three-quarters of Earth's plant and animal species, finding fossils directly linked to the meteor impact has been challenging. However, in 2019, palaeontologists discovered a mass graveyard in southwestern North Dakota containing creatures that died shortly after the collision. Even though North Dakota was far from the meteor impact, the seismic waves caused an earthquake-like event that displaced water from lakes and rivers, resulting in the death of fish. Tektites, small glass beads propelled into the air by the impact, fell from the sky. Researchers spent years investigating the site, known as Tanis, located in the fossil-rich Hell Creek formation spanning four states. The New Yorker described Tanis as a treasure trove of fossil discoveries, while the initial scientific paper focused more on the geological aspects of the site. The new scientific findings from the fossils now offer valuable insights into the previously incomprehensible cataclysm. Stephen L Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the research, expressed amazement at the ability to pinpoint a specific event that occurred 66 million years ago to a particular time of the year. He described it as a detective story of the highest calibre. Animals in the Northern Hemisphere, some emerging from hibernation or giving birth to young, may have been more vulnerable to extinction if the event occurred in spring. On the other hand, animals in the Southern Hemisphere, hunkering down in autumn, may have been more sheltered from the sudden change in climate. According to During, if an organism could hibernate, it would increase its chances of survival. Brusatte agreed that if one could hide in a burrow or seek shelter underwater, it could provide assistance. He believes there is potential in using this method to better understand the extinction patterns and processes. During first learned about Tanis in 2017 from Jan Smit, an expert on dinosaur extinction at Vrije University in Amsterdam. She was captivated by Smit's description of the North Dakota fossil discoveries and immediately reached out to him about conducting isotopic analysis on the fish bones found at the site. She contacted Robert DePalma, the paleontologist leading the study of Tanis. She traveled to North Dakota in August 2017 and spent 10 days at Tanis excavating fossils of six fish: three sturgeon and three paddlefish. In the lab, thin slices of bone were taken from the lower jaws of the paddlefish and from the pectoral fin spines of the sturgeon. The scientists observed alternating light and dark lines in the bone, which reflected seasonal changes in growth rate, similar to tree rings. The outer part of the bones showed that the fish became more active and grew faster after winter ended. During suggested that the fish likely perished in the spring based on the fluctuation in carbon isotopes in their bones, indicating lower plankton levels than during summer. Jeroen van der Lubbe, a paleo-climatologist at Vrije University, added that this evidence, along with the presence of tektites in the fish's gills but not in the digestive tract, supports the theory that the fish died in the spring. "They were unable to continue swimming," During stated. "They died right away." Another group of scientists, headed by DePalma, conducted a comparable analysis on fish fossils and published nearly identical findings in Scientific Reports last December. ©2022 The New York Times Company.

Bird enthusiasts are observing an increase in the number of snowy owls migrating from the Arctic to the lower 48 states this winter. This mass southern migration has been described as "unbelievable" by a leading owl researcher. Thousands of these snow-white birds, known for their large size, have been seen across the country, from feeding in farmlands in Idaho to roosting on rooftops in Montana, gliding over golf courses in Missouri, and soaring over shorelines in Massachusetts. While some snowy owls typically fly south from the Arctic each winter, it is rare to see so many venture so far away, even during large-scale migrations known as irruptions. "What we are witnessing now is truly remarkable," said Denver Holt, who heads the Owl Research Institute in Montana. He described this event as the most significant wildlife occurrence in decades, noting that he has been studying snowy owls in the Arctic for twenty years. Holt and other experts on owls suggest that the unusual phenomenon of snowy owls migrating farther south than usual may be due to a high population of lemmings, their main food source. Last season, an abundance of lemmings led to an increase in owl populations, with breeding pairs hatching as many as seven offspring compared to the usual two. This resulted in greater competition for food in the Far North, causing younger, male owls to venture further south than usual. The scarcity of research on snowy owls is due to the difficult terrain they inhabit in northern Russia and Scandinavia, making it challenging for scientists to study them. The increase in snowy owl sightings has attracted birdwatchers from states like Texas, Arizona, and Utah to the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest, boosting local economies but also causing overcrowding in parks and wildlife areas. The sudden appearance of snowy owls has captured the interest of the public of all ages and backgrounds. However, reports of malnourished owls at certain locations, such as a starving owl found dead in a Wisconsin field, suggest that the migration has a dark side. Holt mentioned that an owl that arrived at an airport in Hawaii in November was deliberately shot to prevent accidents with airplanes. He also noted that snowy owl populations are thought to be decreasing due to changes in the climate affecting the availability of vegetation that lemmings eat. The recent increase in snowy owl sightings this winter, reaching as far south as Oklahoma, is still a puzzling phenomenon in nature. Holt stated that although there are various theories, there is limited concrete evidence to explain this occurrence.

An ancient underground water basin, equivalent in size to Libya, is crucial for Australia to prevent a water crisis caused by climate change. The Great Artesian Basin in Australia is one of the largest artesian groundwater basins globally, covering 1.7 million sq km and located beneath one-fifth of the country. With a capacity of 65 million gigalitres of water, which is about 820 times more than Australia's surface water, it could potentially cover half of the Earth's land mass with half a meter of water. The basin is continually replenished with 1 million megalitres annually as rainwater seeps through porous sandstone rock and gets trapped underground. According to the Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee, there is enough water in the basin to meet Australia's needs for 1,500 years, if fully utilized. John Hillier, a hydrogeologist who recently concluded the Great Artesian Basin Resource Study, confirms this. However, he and other experts caution that the basin's water supply is at risk due to decreasing artesian pressure, which causes water to be brought to the surface through bores and springs. If the artesian pressure drops too much because of excessive water extraction, the ancient water source will become inaccessible, unless costly pumping is utilized. Some parts of the basin are up to 3 km deep, with the water source lying as far down as two km below ground. Formed between 100 and 250 million years ago, the basin is composed of alternating layers of water-bearing sandstone aquifers and non-water-bearing siltstones and mudstones. Water from the basin is extracted through bores and is the sole source of water for mining, tourism, and grazing in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. The Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee estimates that underground water from the basin contributes A$3.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) annually to production in farming, mining, and tourism. The mining and petroleum industry utilizes 31,000 megalitres of basin water each year, either in production processes or as a by-product of mining, and this water is crucial for future expansion. BHP-Billiton, a major mining company, currently extracts 11,680 megalitres annually from the basin to operate its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, but plans to significantly increase water usage to support expanded production. Xstrata Plc, a Swiss-based miner, is considering using water from the basin for a large thermal coal mine in Queensland, which would be the largest open-cut mine in Australia, producing 20 million tonnes a year for a span of 30 years. The pastoral industry is the largest user of water, utilizing 500,000 megalitres annually to irrigate Australia's most productive farmlands. Angus Emmott, owner of Moonbah cattle property in central Queensland, depends on basin water during droughts to sustain his business. Emmott emphasizes the importance of utilizing Great Artesian Basin water efficiently due to climate change and the limited availability of permanent fresh water in the area. Since its initial use in 1878, an estimated 87 million megalitres has been extracted from the basin, with up to 90 percent of it being wasted, posing a threat to the basin's water levels. Due to a decrease in water pressure, over 1,000 natural springs have disappeared and one-third of the original artesian bores are no longer flowing. The extraction of ancient basin water also contributes to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, releasing 330,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. A 15-year project called the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability project, launched in 1990, aims to protect the water supply and the hydraulic pressure needed to access it. Currently, there are around 3,000 bores that release water into 34,000 km of open bore drains, with 90 percent of the water evaporating in the hot outback climate. However, more than 1,052 bores have been managed and numerous kilometers of open drains have been removed, with pipelines installed instead, resulting in the saving of 272 gigalitres of water each year. Farmers are now using technology to control access to bores and manage bore flows, leading to improved land management and better pasture and stock management. This sustainable approach has prevented issues like bogging of domestic animals, maintenance costs of drains, and soil salination. Farmers and scientists emphasize the importance of continued efforts to prevent a water crisis in the Great Artesian Basin due to increasing demand on basin water in the future. Emmott emphasized the importance of taking care of communities for their survival, as the Great Artesian Basin requires careful management due to its slow recharge rate. A $17 million sustainability report will address how to secure water for future mining, pastoral, and environmental projects. The mining industry's growth in the region is expected to put pressure on groundwater resources, prompting a study led by Andy Love from Flinders University. Love stated that it is necessary to find a balance between development and environmental protection, but this cannot be done without a better understanding of the safe amount of groundwater that can be extracted.

Since 1500, over 320 land-dwelling vertebrate species have gone extinct, with the remaining species experiencing an average 25 percent decline in population. Invertebrate animal life is also suffering greatly. This current wave of extinction is attributed to human activity, leading to what researchers call 'Anthropocene defaunation'. Between 16 to 33 percent of vertebrate species are at risk of extinction globally. Large animals, including elephants and polar bears, are facing the highest rate of decline, similar to past extinction events. The increase in rodent populations due to human activity has led to a rise in disease-carrying ectoparasites. Invertebrate animals have also seen a significant decrease in population over the past 35 years, with a 45 percent decline. Loss of habitat and global climate change are the primary drivers of this trend, which could have far-reaching impacts on human health and well-being. Dirzo recommended that promptly decreasing rates of habitat destruction and overexploitation could be beneficial, but it is important to customize these strategies to specific regions and circumstances. He emphasized that extinction should not only be viewed as the disappearance of a species, but also as a loss of essential ecosystem functions in which animals play a crucial role. The study was published in the journal Science.

In 2010, Musa Ibrahim became the first Bangladeshi to plant the country's flag on the peak of Mount Everest. Additionally, Bangladeshi scientists made progress in sequencing the jute genome. However, the year was not without controversy, as the Dhaka stocks fell and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faced allegations of fund siphoning. Despite these challenges, the achievement of Musa Ibrahim in scaling Mount Everest was a significant moment for Bangladesh. The president of the North Alpine Club, Musa, received his education from Dhaka University and BRAC University and is originally from Lalmonirhat. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on June 16 that Bangladeshi researchers, led by Dr. Maqsudul Alam from Dhaka University's biochemistry and biotechnology departments, have successfully sequenced the genome of jute. This discovery is expected to help improve jute fiber and allow it to thrive in changing climates. Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus faced controversy over allegations of misusing funds from Grameen Bank and attempting to cover up the issue from Norwegian donors. On November 30th, a documentary titled 'Caught in Micro Debt' by Danish investigative journalist Tom Heinemann was broadcasted on Norwegian state television NRK, bringing attention to the fund transfer issue that occurred 12 years ago. bdnews24.com was the first to report on the story in Bangladesh on December 1st. Yunus called for a media discussion on Sunday to address the controversy surrounding 'channelled fund'. Grameen Bank, on the other hand, stated that the matter had already been resolved by the Norwegian government and the bank in 1998. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other leaders of the ruling party criticized the chief of Grameen Bank and called for investigations. The MV Jahan Moni, a Bangladeshi ship, was recently hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea near the Indian coast of Kochin on December 5. There are 26 Bangladeshis, including 25 crew members, on board the ship, which has been taken to the Somali coast. Calls have been made for the government to negotiate with the pirates and consider paying ransom. Relatives of the crew who have been captured are calling on the government to take immediate action to rescue them. Two weeks ago, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni stated that no country should pay ransom under any circumstances. The owner of the captured ship has reported that negotiations with the Somali pirates are currently ongoing. In a recent incident, Somali pirates released a German ship after receiving a ransom of $5.5 million. The ship had been seized in May. The issue of sexual harassment towards women gained widespread attention following a series of violent incidents. The incidents included the death of college teacher Mizanur Rahman in Natore, the killing of Chanpa Rani Bhowmik in Faridpur, and the suicide of Rupali Rani in Sirajganj after being kidnapped by an eve-teaser. The government, prompted by the High Court, made amendments to the law to allow for the trial of stalkers in mobile courts, which began operating in early November. The sudden drop in share prices at the end of the year caused chaos in the country's financial market. Increased interest from the general public in investing in the capital market was seen as several exchange records were broken. However, investors continued to drive up share prices until the general index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange plummeted in the second week of December, losing over 500 points in just one hour. This came only two days after reaching an all-time high. Frustrated and angry investors took to the streets twice in the last month as the market showed signs of decline. On December 8 and 19, protesting investors threw bricks and bottles at the police as the market experienced its biggest fall in a single hour and highest fall in a single day. For the first time in history, the country has adopted a comprehensive education policy. The National Education Policy was approved by the cabinet on May 31 and by parliament on Dec 7. Some Islamic parties have raised concerns about the policy, claiming that it reduces opportunities for religious education. However, the government has refuted these claims and is focusing on implementing the policy. One of the key changes under the new policy is the extension of primary education up to class VIII and the elimination of the Secondary School Certificate exam. The policy will bring changes to text books and exam systems, as well as modernize madrasa education. Anthrax caused panic in the middle of the year, affecting at least 500 people in various districts. The government declared a red alert and implemented large-scale cattle testing, including in border areas where foreign cattle enter. The demand for cattle meat decreased suddenly, leading to the government declaring the country anthrax-free in early October. The butchers claimed that poultry traders intentionally caused panic for financial gain. Livestock state minister Abdul Latif Biswas supported this claim and stated that the government would look into the situation. The national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, came to a standstill on Oct 26 due to a strike called by pilots. The strike, led by younger pilots, was ended after a meeting with prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Oct 29, saving the airline from further trouble. Biman suspended four pilots, including the acting president and general secretary of the pilots' association BAPA, on Oct 25. BAPA made the decision to go on strike right away to protest the decision. That same evening, 53 pilots reported sick. On October 20, the 116-member BAPA group issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Biman to fulfill their 5-point demands, one of which was cancelling the order to raise the retirement age of pilots from 57 to 62 years. The pilots also warned that they would not perform any duties beyond their Biman contracts if their demands were not met.

A study has found that inflation, particularly in food prices, and climate change are becoming significant challenges for Bangladesh in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The 'Social Watch Report 2010', launched by Dhaka-based research arm Unnayan Shumunnay, also highlights debt servicing, poor revenue collection, and a decrease in foreign direct investment as additional obstacles. The study reveals that Bangladesh has remained at a low ranking of 61 in the Basic Capabilities Index (BCI), which measures child mortality, maternal child health, and education, over the past decade. In comparison, Pakistan has shown improvement, moving from 55 to 65 since 2000 among South Asian nations. Nepal and India have seen improvements in their rankings, with Sri Lanka leading the region with a score of 99. The report highlights that MDGs are still considered political goals, as global defense spending exceeds aid to developing nations by 49 percent. To achieve MDGs worldwide by 2015, an estimated $100-120 billion annually would be needed, which is less than 0.5 percent of the global GDP according to the Social Watch study. Citing a study by Jubilee Netherlands, the report notes that Bangladesh would require $7.5 billion in annual aid, five times more than its current amount, to meet the MDGs. Additionally, despite being a minor contributor to pollution, Bangladesh is heavily impacted by climate change. According to the report, the country's greenhouse gas emissions account for less than 0.2% of the global total. Social Watch warns that climate change will pose a significant challenge to the country's efforts to boost economic growth and reduce poverty at the expected rate.

Researchers are equipping elephant seals and autonomous underwater vehicles with monitoring devices to uncover the mysteries of the oceans and enhance knowledge of the effects of climate change. The oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing heat and redistributing it globally. Additionally, they absorb significant levels of carbon dioxide, which helps slow down the rate of climate change. However, scientists emphasize the importance of expanding a worldwide monitoring system, with the Southern Ocean between Australia and Antarctica being particularly significant. This region serves as a major repository of human-produced carbon emissions and plays a key role in shaping the Earth's climate. "To comprehend the speed at which climate change is occurring, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of ocean processes, such as the rate at which heat and carbon can be stored," explained Susan Wijffels, an oceanographer who leads a team for Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). Speaking to Reuters from a climate conference in Hobart, Tasmania, she emphasized the significant impact that ocean activities have on the pace and regional variations of climate change. Furthermore, researchers aim to enhance their knowledge of natural ocean cycles that influence terrestrial weather patterns in order to enhance long-term predictions for agriculture and urban water management. By bringing together scientists from various Australian institutions and collaborating with experts from the United States, Asia, and Europe, IMOS is working to better understand and address these complex issues. With increased funding, the team plans to equip approximately 100 elephant seals with sensors to gather valuable data from the waters surrounding Antarctica. A small device with an antenna is fastened to the heads of seals in order to monitor temperature, salinity, and pressure while they search for food underwater. In addition to this, self-propelled gliders measuring about 2 meters long will be used in the waters around Australia, reaching depths of up to 1,500 meters to collect data. These gliders, equipped with wings and a rudder, are capable of staying at sea for months and can be operated remotely. The primary focus of this research is the region of sea ice near Antarctica where traditional self-propelled measurement devices, known as Argos, are unable to operate efficiently as they must frequently resurface to transmit data to satellites. Argos are cylindrical devices that can descend to depths of up to 2 km. Many Argos have been sent out worldwide. There are new versions of Argos being created that have the ability to detect breaks in the sea ice in order to transmit their findings. According to Wijffels, the oceans beneath the ice are not properly monitored by global and national observation systems. It is believed that the ocean may be transferring heat into the sea ice region, which could be contributing to the destabilization of the large ice shelves in Greenland and Antarctica. Scientists warn that Greenland has sufficient ice to cause a 7-meter (23-foot) rise in sea levels if it were to completely melt. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are causing oceans to become more acidic, which is impacting the ability of sea creatures to create shells. There are concerns that this increased acidity could also hinder the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon. The initiative also seeks to enhance monitoring of significant currents in Australia that play a role in distributing heat across the globe, such as those passing through the Lombok Strait near Bali in Indonesia, using deep-ocean moorings. While measurements like these are more prevalent in the North Atlantic region, there is a significant lack of data in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Wijffels.

Study leader Jianzhi "George" Zhang, a professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology, stated that the absence of umami taste receptors in penguins, who are fish eaters, is particularly perplexing. Despite the expectation that penguins would have these genes due to their diet, they do not. Zhang finds these findings surprising and puzzling, with the leading hypothesis being that the genes were lost due to cold Antarctic temperatures interfering with taste perception. Penguins, as well as other non-penguin bird species, lack functional genes for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes. Penguins likely lost umami and bitter tastes in their common ancestor, while the sweet taste was lost earlier. The study suggests that this taste loss occurred during a 37-million-year span of dramatic climate cooling in Antarctica, when penguins originated from tubenose seabirds around 60 million years ago. The research will be published in the journal Current Biology.

It is purely accidental, but there will be some consequences. NASA has chosen SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, to provide a spacecraft for astronauts to return to the moon. Although this mission is still years away, a 4-ton upper stage of a SpaceX rocket launched seven years ago is expected to collide with the moon on March 4. This prediction is based on recent observations and calculations by amateur astronomers. The impact is anticipated to occur at 7:25 am Eastern time, with some uncertainty regarding the exact time and location. Bill Gray, creator of Project Pluto, a set of astronomical software for calculating orbits, stated that the rocket fragment will not miss the moon. Gray stated that it is highly likely that the object will impact as predicted, likely within a few minutes and a few kilometers of the estimated time and location. Throughout the Space Age, various man-made objects have ventured into the solar system, with some not expected to return. An example of this is Musk's Tesla Roadster, launched into orbit around Mars during SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launch in 2018. However, occasionally these objects do return, as seen in 2020 when a mysterious object was discovered to be part of a rocket launched in 1966 during NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon. Gray has been monitoring a specific piece of SpaceX debris for years, which played a role in launching the Deep Space Climate Observatory on February 11, 2015. The observatory, also known as DSCOVR, was originally intended for Earth observation under the name Triana, supported by Al Gore. However, it was repurposed to provide early warning of solar storms. Today, it regularly takes images of Earth from space, including events like lunar eclipses. Typically, the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket is intentionally pushed back into Earth's atmosphere after delivering its payload to avoid space debris. However, the upper stage of the rocket used up all its fuel to propel DSCOVR to its destination, leaving it in a high, elongated orbit around Earth that crosses the moon's orbit. This raised concerns about a potential collision in the future. The motion of the Falcon 9 stage, now inactive and uncontrollable, is influenced by the gravitational forces of Earth, the moon, and the sun, as well as pressure from sunlight. While debris in lower Earth orbit is closely monitored for satellite and International Space Station safety, objects like the DSCOVR rocket in more distant orbits are often overlooked. Gray stated that he is the only person tracking these objects. While many spacecraft have crashed on the moon, this seems to be the first instance of something from Earth unintentionally reaching the moon. On January 5, a rocket stage came within 6,000 miles of the moon, being pulled by the moon's gravity on a trajectory that could potentially lead to a collision. Amateur astronomer Peter Birtwhistle, who lives near London, was one of those who responded to a call from Gray to observe the object as it passed by Earth in January. The large 16-inch telescope in his garden, known as the Great Shefford Observatory, was aimed at the section of the sky where the rocket stage swiftly passed by. Birtwhistle noted the speed at which it was moving. The observations were precise enough to forecast a possible impact. Astronomers will have an opportunity to observe it once more before it travels beyond the moon for the final time. Subsequently, it is expected to collide with the far side of the moon, beyond the view of Earth. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will not be able to witness the impact as it happens, but it will fly over the expected impact location later to capture images of the newly formed crater. Mark Robinson, a professor at Arizona State University who leads the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's camera team, estimates that 4 tons of metal traveling at a speed of 5,700 mph will create a crater 10 to 20 meters wide. This impact will allow scientists to study the lunar surface below the crater. Unlike meteor strikes, the exact size and time of this impact will be known. India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, also in lunar orbit, may also be able to photograph the impact site. Other spacecraft aiming for the moon in the coming year may have the opportunity to observe the impact location, unless they too accidentally create craters. ©2022 The New York Times Company.

Suzanne Becker, the general manager of the Henry Howard Hotel in the Lower Garden District, expressed disappointment at how the delta variant affected their August. Despite this setback, the hotel was finally seeing a surge in guests booking rooms at higher rates typically seen during holiday weekends. Becker had high hopes for a successful period, but the cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in October due to rising coronavirus cases resulted in many reservations being canceled. Hotels were eagerly anticipating Labor Day in New Orleans, a popular celebration in the city. Robert LeBlanc, owner of the Chloe boutique hotel, mentioned that his hotel was fully booked and had an increase in restaurant reservations for large parties. The French Quarter was expected to be busy with visitors for Southern Decadence, also known as "gay Mardi Gras." Beaux Church, manager of three gay bars in the French Quarter, scheduled twice as many bartenders as usual for the event. Despite having a full staff, he was confident that they would receive a lot of tips and be able to catch up on their financial losses from COVID. However, Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana, causing his bartenders to evacuate to other cities and leaving the Henry Howard Hotel and many other hotels vacant. As a result, Southern Decadence has been cancelled once again. Even Cafe Lafitte in Exile, a gay bar known for its 24-hour operation, had to close because it couldn't turn on the lights, air conditioning, or margarita machine due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. With many residents still without power and surrounding areas assessing the damage, New Orleans' tourism industry, a major economic driver, is once again facing challenges. Tony Leggio, an organizer of Southern Decadence, expressed concern that Ida may discourage visitors from returning to the city long-term, similar to the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when tourist numbers dropped significantly. It wasn't until 2010 that the number of visitors returned to pre-Katrina levels. Kelly Schulz, a spokesperson for New Orleans & Company, emphasized that Hurricane Katrina did not have the same impact on New Orleans as it did on other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, as businesses and homes in the city remained undamaged. She expressed hope that tourists would come back once power is restored. However, with overcrowded intensive care units and low vaccination rates in Louisiana, some may argue that the city is better off without large crowds. Researchers have linked Mardi Gras in February 2020 to a significant coronavirus outbreak in the city. Restaurant owners, hotel managers, and event planners believe that despite the challenges posed by the storm, they could have managed the influx of visitors if given the chance. The city's requirement of proof of vaccination or a recent coronavirus test, in addition to masks, for entry into most businesses was appreciated by visitors as it provided a sense of safety for events. Amanda Price, an event planner in New Orleans, noted that Labor Day weekend, typically not a popular time for weddings due to hurricane season, saw an increase in weddings this year. Many couples were determined to reschedule weddings that had been canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus and restrictions on large gatherings during the pandemic. “It’s been very hectic,” stated Cayla Contardi, a resident of Austin, Texas and a client of Price's who was looking forward to a second chance. September 4th was her third attempt at a wedding date. Originally planned for June 20, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona, Contardi felt confident in proceeding with her 120-person event in a French Quarter ballroom as all her guests had either recovered from COVID or were fully vaccinated. Contardi was devastated to find out on Saturday afternoon that her husband's family, who reside in New Orleans and St Tammany Parish, were evacuating their homes. Despite being informed by the hotel on Monday that her guests could no longer stay there due to damage, she struggled to come to terms with the cancellation of her wedding, as she had a beautiful dress she had owned for three years. She expressed that she will not plan a wedding a fourth time. Labor Day weekend had traditionally been a busy time for restaurants in New Orleans, according to Nina Compton, the chef of Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro. She mentioned that usually many people visit the town for a big event before the start of school, and she was expecting a busy week this year. However, when she saw the storm approaching, she realized that things would not go as planned. She found it difficult to accept that despite people in the state facing hardships, restaurants were having to discard a lot of perfectly good food. She explained that it was challenging to donate food to those in need because they lacked the means to cook it. She expressed her frustration as she finished clearing out the walk-in fridge at Compère Lapin. She had found a buyer for the produce, but the milk and fresh pasta were going to be thrown away. James Doucette, the general manager of Meals From The Heart Cafe, expressed his sadness about the waste. In an email, he mentioned that the storm was another challenge they had to deal with and that his team was currently displaced. Alon Shaya, the founder of Pomegranate Hospitality, which oversees two restaurants, also shared concerns about the impact of the storm on the restaurant industry, not only in terms of lost weekend tourists but also in deterring longer-term visitors. Students had recently come back to Tulane University, which was beneficial for his restaurant, Saba, located approximately a mile away. However, the university has now decided to delay classes for at least another month. This feeling of sudden change is not unfamiliar to the hospitality industry in New Orleans. At the start of the pandemic, business was so slow that almost half of the city's restaurants and one-third of its hotels had to shut down indefinitely. But as more individuals received vaccinations and chose to visit New Orleans again, optimism in the industry began to rise. During the spring, business for Church, who oversees a diner and three French Quarter gay bars, exceeded its 2018 peak. However, the arrival of the delta variant caused Bourbon Street to suffer, with his bars going from earning $10,000 a night to just $1,000 practically overnight. Church believes that tourists stopped coming once his staff enforced strict rules requiring proof of vaccination and masks, rules he supports. Despite the ups and downs, Edgar Chase IV, also known as Dooky, remains hopeful, especially with the upcoming Southern Decadence festival and its clear communication of requirements. Chase runs two Dooky Chase restaurants, one near the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and one in the Treme neighborhood. It was supposed to be a busy weekend for his team, but instead they had to evacuate. He is more concerned about providing comfort to people than about money in these situations. He believes that the hospitality industry should now prioritize offering comfort to those affected.

New research published on Tuesday reveals that deforestation not only leads to temperature increases in local areas, but also has a broader impact on monsoon rains. In addition to releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, deforestation alters the amount of reflected light from the earth's surface and the moisture in the atmosphere from plant transpiration. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore utilized a model to simulate atmosphere circulation, photosynthesis, transpiration, ocean surface warming, and ice melt. The authors aimed to understand the effects of large-scale deforestation on monsoon rainfall by conducting three experiments removing all trees in tropical, temperate, and high-latitude regions. Deforestation in temperate and high latitudes has caused changes in atmospheric circulation, leading to a southward shift in monsoon rains. This has resulted in a significant decrease in precipitation in northern hemisphere monsoon regions such as East Asia, North America, North Africa, and South Asia, while there have been moderate increases in rainfall in southern hemisphere monsoon regions like South Africa, South America, and Australia. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), remote deforestation in mid- and high-latitudes can have a greater impact on tropical rainfall than local tropical deforestation. The South Asian monsoon region, specifically India, would experience the most significant decline in precipitation, with an 18 percent decrease. The authors of the study emphasized the importance of considering remote impacts on rainfall when evaluating the climate benefits of planting trees in deforested areas. The research pointed out that the amount of land allocated for farming and grazing has grown on a worldwide scale, rising from 620 million hectares in the 1700s (approximately 7 percent of the Earth's land area) to 4,690 million hectares in 2000, which now accounts for about one-third of the planet's total land area.

The Qatar 2022 supreme committee stated that they originally bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup in the summer, but are open to hosting it in the winter if needed. They are prepared to host the event in either season and their planning remains unaffected. Fifa President Sepp Blatter mentioned that any request to change the timing of the event would need to come from Qatar. Qatar plans to use air-conditioned stadiums that will be dismantled after the tournament and sent to developing nations. The statement also highlighted Qatar's commitment to proving that the cooling technology will work in open-air stadiums and training grounds, with a focus on leaving a legacy for Qatar and countries with similar climates. The technology will allow sports to be played all year round, not just in stadiums or sports venues, but also in public spaces, enabling people to enjoy outdoor activities regardless of the weather.

Images captured by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft indicate the potential existence of liquid water on the surface of Mars, a discovery that excites scientists who are curious about the possibility of life on the Red Planet. The spacecraft's observations of changes in the walls of two craters in Mars' southern hemisphere, believed to be caused by the flow of water, were announced by a team of scientists. The presence of liquid water is crucial in the search for signs of life, as all known forms of life on Earth depend on water for survival. Scientists have previously confirmed the presence of water on Mars, in the form of ice at the poles and water vapor, as well as geological features that suggest water may have existed in the past. Kenneth Edgett, a scientist involved in the research, described the search for current evidence of liquid water on Mars as a "quest for a smoking gun," and stated that the new findings could be considered a "squirting gun" for water on Mars. The researchers, whose work is published in Science, compared images of the Martian surface taken seven years apart and identified 20 new impact craters. They observed evidence suggesting that water had flowed down two gullies in recent years, despite the harsh conditions on the planet's surface that would cause liquid water to freeze or evaporate quickly. The pictures indicated that there may be underground liquid water near the surface in some areas, which could seep out periodically. While the images did not directly show water, they revealed bright deposits left by material carried downhill inside the crater by running water, occasionally changing direction around obstacles and leaving finger-shaped marks diverting from the main flow. Edgett suggested that the water could be acidic, briny, or carrying sediment, but it definitely contains H2O. Each flow was estimated to be caused by an amount equal to "five to 10 swimming pools of water," according to Edgett. Michael Meyer, the head scientist of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, stated that recent observations indicate that water still flows sporadically on the surface of Mars, providing the most compelling evidence to date. Meyer raised questions about how this phenomenon occurs and whether it suggests a potential habitat for life. Some scientists believe that Mars may have harbored primitive life forms in the past, as it is the only planet in our solar system besides Earth with a relatively hospitable climate. Previous missions have also discovered signs that Mars had abundant water in the past. The scientists acknowledged that the images provided only circumstantial evidence, not definitive proof. They proposed an alternative explanation that the features could have been caused by the movement of dry dust down a slope. The researchers noted that their findings raised numerous questions, such as the source and abundance of the water, and whether it could be utilized as a resource in future Mars exploration missions. Although the researchers had discovered the gullies in 2000, this was the first time they had observed newly deposited material seemingly carried by liquid water. Recently, NASA announced that it had lost contact with the Mars Global Surveyor following a decade-long mission focused on mapping the planet's surface, monitoring its climate, and seeking evidence of water.

Two new reports released on Monday warn that the world's increasing population, which is expected to reach nine billion from six billion, will create a high and unsustainable demand for food, fuel, and wood. This surge in demand will put immense pressure on the remaining forests, potentially leading to increased deforestation, global warming, and conflicts with indigenous forest dwellers. Andy White, co-author of one of the reports titled "Seeing People Through the Trees," stated that without intervention, traditional forest owners and the forests themselves will suffer, resulting in more deforestation, conflict, carbon emissions, climate change, and decreased prosperity for all. RRI is a global alliance of environmental and conservation NGOs that focuses on protecting and managing forests and advocating for the rights of forest communities. According to White's report, a significant increase in agricultural productivity is needed to avoid clearing an area of land equivalent to 12 Germanys by 2030 to meet food and biofuel demands. This land is likely to come from developing countries, particularly from currently forested areas. The second report, "From Exclusion to Ownership", highlighted that governments in developing countries still claim ownership of most forests but have not adequately protected the rights and land tenure of forest residents. The report emphasized that those whose livelihoods depend on forests are often the best stewards of forest resources and biodiversity. According to RRI, governments are not effectively preventing industries from encroaching on indigenous lands. The organization's report highlighted the expansion of soy and sugar cane cultivation for biofuels in Brazil, which is projected to increase to 128 million hectares by 2020 from the current 28 million hectares, largely at the expense of deforestation in the Amazon. Ghanaian civil rights lawyer Kyeretwie Opoku expressed concerns about the lack of democracy, violent conflict, and human rights abuses in response to the report. He emphasized the importance of addressing underlying inequalities by involving and empowering forest communities in decision-making processes related to industry and conservation.

However, before anything else, it will need to participate in a scavenger hunt in the Australian outback. This coming weekend, fragments of an asteroid are set to touch down in a desolate area close to Woomera, South Australia. These fragments are being transported to Earth by Hayabusa2, a robotic spacecraft launched by JAXA, Japan’s space agency, in 2014 for the purpose of investigating an asteroid called Ryugu, which is a dark, carbon-rich rock slightly over half a mile in diameter. The success of this mission and the scientific data it yields will enhance Japan’s position as a key player in deep space exploration, on par with NASA, the European Space Agency, and Russia. JAXA currently has a spacecraft circling Venus to study the planet’s extreme climate and is working with the Europeans on a mission en route to Mercury. In the upcoming years, Japan is planning to retrieve rocks from Phobos, a moon of Mars, and support NASA's Artemis program to send astronauts to the moon. However, the immediate challenge they face is locating a small capsule containing asteroid samples in the dark, expansive region 280 miles north of Adelaide. Shogo Tachibana, the lead investigator analyzing the Hayabusa2 samples, described the area near Woomera as extremely remote, with more than 70 Japanese team members assisting in the recovery effort. This region, typically used by the Australian military for testing, offers a vast, open space that is perfect for the return of a spacecraft from another planet. The return capsule detached from the main spacecraft 12 hours prior to landing, when it was approximately 125,000 miles away from Earth. JAXA will provide live coverage of the capsule's landing starting at 11:30 am Eastern time on Saturday (early morning on Sunday in Australia). The capsule is expected to touch down just before noon. Makoto Yoshikawa, the mission manager, mentioned in an interview that there is a margin of error of about 10 kilometers (6 miles) in predicting the exact reentry point of the capsule. Once at an altitude of 6 miles, the capsule will deploy a parachute, and its drift during descent will further contribute to the uncertainty. Yoshikawa stated that the location of the landing will be determined by the wind conditions that day. The search area could potentially span 60 miles, and the recovery team will be guided by the trail of superheated air left by the reentering capsule, as well as the capsule's radio beacon. The mission will become significantly more challenging if the beacon or parachute malfunctions. Time is also of the essence. The team's goal is to retrieve the capsule, conduct an initial analysis, and quickly transport it back to Japan within 100 hours. Despite the capsule being sealed, there is concern that Earth air may gradually seep in. Tachibana mentioned that perfect sealing is not possible. Once the capsule is located, a helicopter will transport it to a laboratory established at the Australian air force base in Woomera. At the laboratory, an instrument will extract any gases that may have been released by the asteroid rocks as they underwent shaking and breaking during reentry. Yoshikawa mentioned that the scientists are interested in detecting any helium particles from solar wind that may have hit the asteroid and gotten trapped in the rocks. The presence of these gases would confirm that Hayabusa2 was able to collect samples from Ryugu. At least 0.1 grams of samples are required for a successful mission, with the team hoping that the spacecraft brought back several grams. In Japan, the Hayabusa2 team will start analyzing the samples from Ryugu. Some of the samples collected by Hayabusa2 at the asteroid Ryugu in June 2018 will be shared with other scientists for further study in about a year. The spacecraft carried out a series of investigations, including dropping probes to the surface, creating a hole in the asteroid to examine its interior, and collecting small pieces from the surface. This operation was more challenging than anticipated due to the presence of numerous boulders. Masaki Fujimoto, deputy director general of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, noted that small asteroids like Ryugu were previously overlooked by planetary scientists focused on studying planets. He expressed his lack of interest in minor bodies, but emphasized their importance in understanding the formation of planetary systems. Analyzing water trapped in minerals from Ryugu could provide insights into the origins of Earth's oceans and the potential for carbon-based molecules to have contributed to the development of life. NASA will receive part of the Ryugu samples, along with rocks and soil from the OSIRIS-Rex mission to another asteroid. The OSIRIS-Rex probe has been investigating the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu and is scheduled to return to Earth next spring, delivering its samples in September 2023. Despite similarities in appearance, Ryugu and Bennu exhibit differences in various aspects. The rocks on Ryugu seem to have less water compared to other rocks. The significance of these similarities and differences will only be understood once scientists conduct a more detailed study of the rocks. Harold Connolly, a geology professor at Rowan University, believes that the lessons learned from the Hayabusa2 mission will be valuable when the OSIRIS-Rex sample returns. Connolly finds the similarities and differences between the missions to be extremely interesting. He plans to travel to Japan next summer to assist in analyzing the Ryugu samples. Hayabusa2 is not Japan's initial planetary mission. The name of the spacecraft, Hayabusa2, is reminiscent of an earlier mission that retrieved samples from an asteroid called Itokawa. However, the previous mission faced significant technical issues, as did JAXA's Akatsuki spacecraft which is currently orbiting Venus. Despite these challenges, Hayabusa2 has operated smoothly, unlike the failed Japanese mission to Mars in 2003, even though it shares a similar design with its predecessor. Yoshikawa, the mission manager, stated that there are no major issues, only minor ones. He mentioned that the team carefully analyzed the failures of Hayabusa and made necessary changes, as well as conducted multiple rehearsals to prepare for any potential problems. Japanese missions typically have smaller budgets compared to NASA's, resulting in fewer instruments being carried. Hayabusa2's cost is under $300 million, while OSIRIS-Rex's cost is around $1 billion. Yoshikawa also noted that delivering the Ryugu samples does not mark the conclusion of the Hayabusa2 mission. After releasing the return capsule, the main spacecraft changed its course to prevent a collision with Earth, narrowly avoiding it by 125 miles. The spacecraft will now head towards another asteroid, a small one named 1998 KY26, which is only 100 feet in diameter and rotates quickly, completing one rotation in less than 11 minutes. Hayabusa2 will utilize two flybys of Earth to propel itself towards KY26, with an expected arrival in 2031. Throughout the extended journey in deep space, the spacecraft will perform various astronomical experiments, and it still possesses a projectile that may be used to test the surface of the asteroid.

A group of seven researchers has called for immediate action to prevent a catastrophic threat to civilization, as reported by the Climate News Network ahead of the COP25 climate change summit in Madrid. In their commentary published in the journal Nature, they highlighted the increasing evidence of irreversible changes occurring in the Earth's environmental systems, leading to what they describe as a 'state of planetary emergency'. They warned that the planet is approaching a global tipping point, beyond which there is no return, with potential consequences such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest, rapid melting of ice sheets, and thawing of permafrost. They also cautioned that if such a collapse were to occur, it could result in 'hothouse' conditions rendering certain areas uninhabitable. The scientists emphasized that the window for intervention to prevent these tipping points may be rapidly closing, while achieving net zero emissions could take up to 30 years. The team, led by Timothy Lenton, professor of climate change and Earth system science at the University of Exeter, identified nine areas where tipping points are already occurring. These include the destruction of the Amazon, reduction of Arctic sea ice, coral reef die-offs, melting of ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica, thawing of permafrost, destabilization of boreal forests, and a slowdown of ocean circulation. The scientists claim that these events are connected and changes in one will affect another, leading to a worsening 'cascade' of crises. The study found that regional warming is causing Arctic permafrost to thaw, releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. This has led to large-scale insect disturbances and fires in North American boreal forests, potentially changing some regions from a carbon sink to a carbon source. Researchers believe that the climate is more sensitive than originally thought and that a global tipping point could be possible. Additionally, recent research has analyzed various regime shifts, including the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet and the transition from rainforest to Savanna. The text suggests that surpassing tipping points in one system can heighten the likelihood of surpassing them in other systems. A photo shows an offering being made to Mother Water in a dried lake affected by climate change in Bolivia. The concept of a climate tipping point was introduced by the IPCC 20 years ago, indicating that 'large-scale discontinuities' would only occur if global warming exceeded 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Climate scientists have stated that the data from the two most recent IPCC reports, released in 2018 and September 2019, indicate that tipping points could occur with a temperature increase of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Currently, global average temperatures are approximately 1 degree Celsius higher than they were in the pre-industrial era and are still on the rise.

The yen reached a historic low against the euro and remained close to a four-year low against the dollar on Friday due to expectations of low Japanese rates. Oil prices stayed near a seven-week high at over $61. Despite Germany's Ifo business sentiment survey showing a larger than anticipated decline in February, the euro only slightly decreased against the dollar. Japanese exporters benefited from the weak yen, boosting the Nikkei average to a seven-year high, while European stocks were weighed down by concerns over Iran's nuclear program. The euro briefly hit a record high of 159.63 yen before falling back to around 159.25 yen, with traders predicting it would soon surpass the 160-yen mark. The dollar was at around 121.40 yen, close to its recent peak of 121.63 yen and not far from the highest level since December 2002. The recent 25-basis-point increase in Japanese interest rates to 0.5 percent, the highest in a decade, has not stopped the yen from weakening against other major currencies. This is because Japanese rates are still lower than those in other developed countries. Ronnie Steadman of Lloyds TSB Financial Markets pointed out that the higher rates in Japan will not deter Japanese investors, especially households, from buying foreign bonds and stocks for better returns. Investors have also taken large short positions against the yen in carry trades, where they borrow in yen to invest in higher-yielding assets elsewhere. The New Zealand dollar, known for its high yields, reached a 14-month high against the yen. Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated that rate increases will be gradual. Germany's Ifo research institute reported a decline in the business climate index from 107.9 in January to 107.0 in February. Despite this, analysts believe that the European Central Bank is likely to raise rates to 3.75 percent in March. The euro was slightly lower at $1.311 at 1015 GMT. Euro zone bonds recovered from early losses and saw yields on the 10-year Bund decrease by 3.2 basis points to 4.066 percent. Oil prices rose above $61 a barrel to a seven-week high due to a sharp drop in US gasoline stocks and concerns over Iran's nuclear program. US crude reached $61.40 a barrel, up by 45 cents. The price hit $61.49, the highest since Jan 2, after Iran's statement of not showing any weakness regarding its nuclear program. European shares were slightly down due to concerns over Iran and weak banking stocks, despite strong results from industrials and higher commodity prices. The FTSEurofirst 300 index was down 0.16 percent, with British and French indexes slightly lower and Germany's stable. Japan's Nikkei increased by 0.44 percent to a seven-year high, driven by exporters like Canon Inc benefiting from the weak yen. The increase was offset by a decline of up to 29 percent in Sanyo Electric Co. following news of a regulatory investigation and reports of unaccounted losses exceeding $1 billion. The MSCI All-Country World Index stood at 380.93, up by 0.05 percent.

According to an annual study, global carbon emissions increased significantly in 2007, with developing countries like China and India now accounting for more than half of the world's carbon dioxide output, which is the main gas responsible for global warming. The report from the Global Carbon Project shows that carbon dioxide emissions have been growing four times faster since 2000 compared to the 1990s, despite some efforts to reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. The burning of fossil fuels played a major role in this increase, according to the authors of the report. India is expected to surpass Russia soon to become the world's third largest emitter of CO2. The executive director of the Global Carbon Project, Pep Canadell, noted that developing countries now contribute more to global emissions than developed countries, which is a new trend. He told Reuters that China is now the leading emitter of emissions, accounting for 60 percent of all emissions growth. The United States is the second largest emitter. The project is backed by the International Council for Science. Professor Barry Brook from the University of Adelaide in Australia warned of potentially disastrous consequences due to the rapid increase in emissions, suggesting that CO2 concentrations could reach 450 ppm by 2030 instead of the previously predicted 2040. They are currently slightly above 380 parts per million. However, reaching 450 parts per million of CO2 will lead to 2 degrees Celsius global warming and the resulting catastrophic consequences. The Global Carbon Project, established in 2001, studies changes in the earth's carbon cycle, including human and natural emissions and how carbon is absorbed by sinks like oceans and forests. Canadell stated that the project analyzes data from CO2 samples collected worldwide and national emissions data reported to the United Nations. He noted the significant increase in emissions from 2000 to 2007 was unprecedented and occurred despite strong international efforts to combat climate change. Currently, only 37 wealthy nations are bound by the Kyoto Protocol, the primary global agreement aimed at addressing global warming, to reduce their emissions starting in 2008. However, the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol will end in 2012, and it does not require developing countries to limit their emissions. The United Nations is leading discussions to expand the Kyoto Protocol after 2013 and develop a plan that will encourage all countries to commit to reducing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. A recent report has highlighted the urgency of this issue, noting that atmospheric CO2 levels reached 383 parts per million in 2007, marking a 37 percent increase since the beginning of the industrial revolution and the highest level in the past 650,000 years. The report also revealed that the annual growth rate of atmospheric CO2 was 2.2 ppm in 2007, up from 1.8 ppm in 2006. Professor Matthew England, joint director of the University of New South Wales Climate Change Research Centre, stated that the recent data regarding increasing carbon dioxide emissions should serve as a significant reminder to the industry, business, and politicians. Canadell noted that the credit crisis may potentially reduce emissions growth, but emphasized that unless major countries like China, India, Russia, and Japan experience a similar economic downturn as the United States, any decline in emissions will likely be minimal.

This year, scientists are emphasizing the importance of focusing on methane as a powerful greenhouse gas in order to prevent catastrophic global warming. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report urging countries to make significant and sustained reductions in methane emissions, in addition to cutting CO2 emissions. This plea may be concerning for countries that rely on natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal, as well as for countries with significant agriculture and livestock industries, particularly cattle. Despite both methane and CO2 contributing to warming the atmosphere, they are not equivalent in their impact. A methane molecule has a more immediate impact on warming than a CO2 molecule, but CO2 remains in the atmosphere for much longer. The recent IPCC report emphasizes the urgency of reducing methane emissions, as it is the most effective and efficient way to slow down global warming. The current global temperature is already 1.1C higher than preindustrial levels due to emissions from the industrial era. The report suggests that if pollution had not been reflecting some of the sun's radiation back into space, the world would have experienced an additional 0.5C of warming. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and addresses air pollution, the aerosols causing this reflection will disappear, potentially causing temperatures to rise. The rapid reduction of methane emissions could help offset this effect and improve air quality, according to IPCC report summary author Maisa Rojas Corradi. Methane emissions are responsible for about 30% of warming since the pre-industrial era on a global scale, as stated by the United Nations. The IPCC had not previously addressed the impact of methane, aerosols, and other short-lived climate pollutants until now. “The report highlights the immediate advantages of significant decreases in methane, not only in terms of atmospheric levels but also the positive impacts on human health due to improved air quality,” stated Jane Lubchenco, deputy director for climate and environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Recent advancements in technology and research indicate that methane emissions from oil and gas production, landfills, and livestock may have been underestimated. The report emphasizes the need for countries involved in oil and gas production to integrate aggressive methane reduction plans into their climate strategies, according to Mark Brownstein, senior vice president of energy at Environmental Defense Fund. Addressing emissions from landfills and energy companies may be more feasible, while tackling methane emissions from large-scale agriculture poses a greater challenge due to the lack of scaled-up replacement technology.” The EU and the United States are planning to introduce new laws to require oil and gas companies to monitor and report methane emissions, as well as fix any leaks. These regulations are expected to be stricter than those implemented by the Obama administration and subsequently repealed by Donald Trump. Despite the US and EU being responsible for a significant portion of global natural gas consumption, countries like Brazil and Russia, with lax regulations on oil and gas production and agriculture, are also likely to be significant methane emitters according to IPCC co-author Paulo Artaxo. He noted the challenges in accurately measuring methane leakage from gas and oil wells. If nations do not actively search for it, they will not discover the issue. Environmental organizations and government authorities are pushing for a worldwide pact on methane, similar to the Montreal Protocol that addressed ozone depletion. This agreement could initially focus on methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, as they already possess the necessary technology to reduce these emissions, according to Armond Cohen, executive director of the Clean Air Task Force, a climate technology group based in Boston. Cohen stated that addressing this issue does not require advanced technology. "So, let's begin from that point."

The mammoth structures proposed by scientists would enclose the North Sea to protect tens of millions of Europeans from rising sea levels due to climate change. The urgency of the crisis is reflected in the scale of the project, which could cost $250 billion to $550 billion and be covered by Northern European countries. Some experts are skeptical of damming the North Sea, suggesting that building defenses along the coastline may be a better solution. The scientists behind the proposal see it as a warning and hope it serves as a wake-up call for global leaders to address climate change. The extreme solution of damming the North Sea may not be necessary if CO2 emissions are reduced to curb global warming. If carbon pollution continues, sea levels could rise over 40 inches by 2100, displacing millions of people. Even now, coastal cities like San Francisco and Manila are experiencing the impacts of rising sea levels. A proposal to construct two massive barriers, connecting Norway to Scotland and France to England, is being considered as a response to the urgent climate crisis. These structures would enclose the North Sea, protecting millions of Europeans from the threat of flooding. According to Climate Central, by 2050, around 150 million people in coastal cities could be at risk of being submerged. The proposed dams would be larger than any existing sea barriers and would require a significant amount of resources to build. The ecological and economic consequences of such a project would be substantial, but as sea levels continue to rise, drastic measures may become necessary. However, he emphasized that addressing the possibility of a sea level rise of multiple meters would not have easy solutions.

US researchers have discovered that the United States can be a breeding ground for certain flu strains, allowing them to spread to warmer regions. Previous assumptions that flu strains primarily originated in China and Southeast Asia have been challenged by a study from the University of Michigan, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Florida State University. Some strains of flu in North America do not disappear at the end of flu season, instead traveling to South America and beyond. This phenomenon may have played a role in the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. Trevor Bedford of the University of Michigan, whose study was published in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Pathogens, revealed that China and Southeast Asia are the main players in the influenza A migration network, but temperate regions, such as the USA, also play a significant role. Bedford and his team analyzed genetic sequences of seasonal flu viruses collected from patients worldwide between 1998 and 2009, creating a family tree to show the relationships among the viruses. This new understanding of flu may lead to changes in public health strategies for fighting the virus, as aggressive use of antiviral drugs like Tamiflu could potentially lead to drug resistance if flu strains persist in the United States. "We discovered that South America primarily receives flu strains from North America," Bedford stated. "Instead of providing South America with the same vaccine as the rest of the world, it may be more beneficial to create a vaccine using strains from North America from the previous season." The researchers believe that these findings can improve the tracking of flu strains. "Through this research, we gain a better understanding of the origins of flu outbreaks worldwide. While Southeast Asia is known to be a major source, we now realize that temperate regions can also play a role, highlighting the need for global surveillance," Bedford explained. The United States was where the first cases of H1N1 swine flu were identified. The exact origin of swine flu remains uncertain, but genetic research indicates it likely came from pigs and had been present for a long time before being discovered.

According to a report from a wire service, scientists in Washington have found strong evidence linking the warming of the ocean over the last 40 years to the release of carbon dioxide from industrial activities. By comparing ocean temperature increases with climate model predictions, US researchers determined that human activity is the primary cause. They predict that this warming will significantly affect regional water supplies in the future. The study's findings were presented at a scientific conference in Washington DC, where the researchers explored various scenarios to explain the oceanic observations, but none of them were sufficient. Dr Barnett stated that greenhouse warming was the key factor in the observed temperature changes in the oceans, with a statistical confidence of 95%, providing conclusive evidence that human activities are causing global warming. The researchers warn that climate change will have a dramatic impact on regional water supplies in the near future. In areas such as the South American Andes and western China, accelerated melting of glaciers could leave millions of people without enough water during the summer. Dr Barnett explained that if the snow pack melts earlier and societies are unable to capture all the water, water shortages will occur in the summer months. Based on the findings of the Scripps researcher, it is essential for political leaders to take action in order to prevent a potential worldwide catastrophe. The researchers expressed hope that the United States would lead the way in addressing this issue. They emphasized the importance of identifying and understanding the various problems related to global warming in order to effectively address and resolve them.

Contrary to previous reports, including those by The New York Times, it appears that Elon Musk's SpaceX is not responsible for the crater on the lunar surface. Instead, it is likely that a piece of a rocket launched by China's space agency is the cause. Bill Gray, the developer of Project Pluto, announced that the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was on a trajectory to intersect with the moon's path. This rocket had launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in February 2015. Gray had been monitoring this rocket part for years, and in early January, it passed within 6,000 miles of the moon's surface. The moon's gravity then altered its path, potentially causing it to crash on a subsequent orbit. Reports from amateur stargazers who witnessed the object passing by Earth once again confirmed the anticipated collision within the Hertzsprung crater. However, a message from Jon Giorgini, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, on Saturday altered the narrative. Giorgini manages Horizons, an online database capable of providing data on the locations and orbits of nearly 1.2 million objects in the solar system, including approximately 200 spacecraft. Following a query from a Horizons user regarding the object's association with the DSCOVR rocket, Giorgini delved deeper into the matter. He discovered that the orbit did not match the path taken by DSCOVR and reached out to Gray for confirmation. Gray initially believed he was correct, but decided to review his old emails to confirm when the object was first identified in March 2015, shortly after DSCOVR's launch. Typically, new objects seen in the sky are asteroids, and the same assumption was made for this object, which was labeled as WE0913A. However, it was discovered that WE0913A was actually orbiting Earth, not the sun, indicating it likely originated from Earth. Gray suggested it could be a part of the rocket that launched DSCOVR, and further data showed that WE0913A passed the moon two days after the DSCOVR launch, confirming this theory. Gray now realizes his mistake in assuming DSCOVR was launched towards the moon to use its gravity to reach its final destination, but as Giorgini pointed out, DSCOVR was actually launched on a direct path that did not involve passing the moon. "I really regret not reviewing that before making my January announcement," Gray stated. "But once Jon Giorgini brought it to my attention, it was obvious that I had made a mistake." SpaceX, who did not provide a comment, never denied that WE0913A was their rocket stage. However, it is likely that they have not been monitoring it either. Typically, the second stage of a Falcon 9 is intentionally burned up in the atmosphere. However, in this instance, the rocket needed all of its fuel to successfully deliver DSCOVR to its far-off destination. However, the second stage, which was not powered or controlled, was in an orbit that was not likely to pose a threat to any satellites, and it was probably not being monitored by anyone. Gray expressed a desire for transparency from those launching boosters into high orbits, stating that it would be helpful if they publicly disclosed what they were putting up there and where the objects were headed, as opposed to him having to figure it out on his own. Gray then questioned what the object could be if it was not the DSCOVR rocket, and he began to investigate other launches from the previous months, specifically focusing on those aimed at the moon. Gray noted that there were not many launches in that category. The leading candidate was a Long March 3C rocket which launched China's Chang'e-5 T1 spacecraft on October 23, 2014. The spacecraft orbited the moon before returning to Earth and dropping off a return capsule in Mongolia as part of a test for the Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, which successfully retrieved moon rocks and dust for study on Earth. A computer simulation of the orbit of WE0913A indicated it would have come close to a lunar flyby on October 28, just five days after the Chinese launch. Additionally, orbital data from a cubesat attached to the Long March rocket closely matched that of WE0913A, according to Gray. "It's a case that likely would result in a conviction if taken to a jury," stated Christophe Demeautis, an amateur astronomer from northeast France, regarding the object predicted to strike the moon. Recent observations have slightly adjusted the timing and location of the impact, but it is still certain to occur at around 7:26 am Eastern time. However, because it will happen on the far side of the moon, it will not be visible from Earth. As for the missing Falcon 9 part, efforts are still ongoing to locate the DSCOVR second stage. It is believed that the object ended up in orbit around the sun rather than the Earth, and it is possible that it is still out there. This could explain why it is currently out of view. Previous instances have shown that pieces of old rockets have returned, such as in 2020 when a mystery object was discovered to be part of a rocket launched in 1966 for NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon.

According to a recent study released by the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in collaboration with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) at the Bella Convention Centre in Copenhagen, oceans are becoming more acidic at a rate 100 times faster than any change in acidity seen in the past 20 million years. This rapid change leaves little time for biological systems to adapt evolutionarily. The study highlights that seas and oceans currently absorb around a quarter of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Without this absorption, atmospheric CO2 levels would be much higher and the impacts of global climate change would be more severe. The absorption of atmospheric CO2 has caused the oceans to become more acidic, with predictions suggesting a 150 percent increase in ocean acidity by 2050. This acidification is irreversible on timescales of thousands of years, and urgent reductions in global CO2 emissions are necessary to prevent significant damage to ocean ecosystems. Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the convention, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue in the global climate change debate in Copenhagen. A study by the CBD highlights the alarming ecological scenarios and adverse impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity, based on analysis of over 300 scientific literatures. The study reveals that as ocean acidification continues to rise, a significant portion of cold water corals, which serve as important habitats and food sources for commercial fish species, will be at risk of coming into contact with acidic waters by the year 2100.

According to a NASA survey, there are around 1,000 asteroids close to Earth that are large enough to cause significant damage if they were to collide with our planet. This survey, known as Spaceguard, was initiated by Congress in 1998 with the goal of identifying 90 percent of objects near Earth that are at least 1 km in diameter. The survey has been completed, with 93 percent of the objects now identified. The data was presented by astronomer Amy Mainzer of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at a conference in San Francisco. In addition to the larger asteroids, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope also discovered approximately 20,500 smaller asteroids near Earth, which is fewer than previous estimates of 36,000 to 100,000 such objects. "We know something as large as that could potentially eliminate most life on Earth," Mainzer stated, emphasizing the destructive power of a major asteroid or comet impact. While the likelihood of such an event is low, scientists are actively monitoring potentially hazardous objects using archived WISE observations to identify any threats that come within about 4.6 million miles (7.4 million km) of Earth. As of now, there is no strategy in place for how to respond if an asteroid were to be found heading towards Earth.

Venus slowly crossed the sun on Tuesday in a rare event that will not be visible from Earth again for 105 years. Transits of Venus occur in pairs, eight years apart, with long intervals between cycles. During this recent transit, Venus appeared as a small black dot moving across the northern hemisphere of the sun. People watched the six-hour and 40-minute event online through various websites, including live video feeds from the Prescott Observatory in Arizona showing a solar flare forming near Venus. The transit on Tuesday, which was part of a pair that occurred between 2004 and 2012, started at 6:09 p.m. EDT (2209 GMT). People on all seven continents, including Antarctica, had the opportunity to witness at least a portion of the transit. Even astronauts on the International Space Station participated in observing the event. Don Pettit, a flight engineer on the space station, had been preparing for this moment and brought a solar filter with him in anticipation of the transit of Venus during his rotation. It is not just about beautiful images. Numerous scientific experiments were planned, including research that could contribute to the discovery of habitable planets outside of our solar system. Telescopes like NASA's Kepler space telescope are being utilized to locate extrasolar planets that transit in front of their stars, similar to Venus passing in front of the sun. Astronomers intended to analyze Venus' dense atmosphere during its transit in order to develop methods for studying atmospheres of other planets. Additionally, examining Venus' atmosphere could provide insights into the differences between Earth and Venus despite their similar size and proximity to the sun. Venus has an extremely thick atmosphere, 100 times denser than Earth's, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The planet's surface temperature is a scorching 900 degrees Fahrenheit (480 degrees Celsius), with sulfuric acid clouds moving at high speeds and causing acid rain. Despite being known as the goddess of love, Venus' conditions make it a place you wouldn't want to visit, according to an astronomer. Scientists are studying Venus' climate to gain insight into Earth's atmospheric changes. In past transits of Venus, scientists determined the size of the solar system and the distance between the sun and planets. The upcoming transit on Tuesday will be only the eighth since the telescope was invented, and the last until December 10-11, 2117. This transit will also be the first to occur with a spacecraft at Venus. Data collected from Europe's Venus Express probe will be analyzed alongside observations from various ground and space-based telescopes, such as NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the joint US-European Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, and Japan's Hinode spacecraft.

Each hardy type of plant becomes a small but crucial part of a strong seed system that supports farming, which is the basis of a robust food system. The unpredictable 2020 seed catalogue season highlighted the importance of resilience for both seed company employees and their customers. Lessons learned from the chaotic year of high sales can help prepare for the upcoming 2021 gardening season, which officially begins this month with the arrival of new catalogues. Last year at this time, no one could have anticipated the surge in sales of up to 300% that followed the national emergency declaration on March 13, just two days after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. Joshua D'errico, marketing coordinator for Johnny's Selected Seeds, with nearly five decades of sales data, recalled the surprise of returning to the office to find a large number of orders had come in. "We initially believed it was just a temporary issue, but it turned out to be more serious than we anticipated," said Heron Breen, a research and development manager at Fedco Seeds, a company catering to Northeastern gardeners since 1978. Breen explained that they received advance notice from colleagues at other companies who were also experiencing a surge in demand. As larger companies struggled to keep up with orders, smaller companies like Fedco Seeds were also inundated with requests. Fulfilment operations were overwhelmed, leading many suppliers to temporarily suspend sales in order to catch up. Despite the increase in catalogue requests and online searches for growing advice, sellers want home gardeners to know that they have ample stock available. Overall, there are no significant seed shortages beyond the typical challenges that can arise in any farming season. This may seem surprising to those who saw "out of stock" labels on many product pages last spring. Despite the wording, the lack of availability was often due to a shortage of workers to pack the seeds into packets in time to meet the increased demand. Andrea Tursini, the chief marketing officer of High Mowing Organic Seeds, explained that this happened towards the end of their typical peak season when they are not usually packing a large volume of seeds. In addition, the challenges of hiring and operating safely during the pandemic, as well as employee burnout, added to the difficulties. Seed companies have been working extra hours and skipping summer breaks to improve their systems. Prior to diving into browsing catalogues, it is advisable for home gardeners to refine their methods. It is important to approach shopping smartly and to view catalogues as resources for study rather than just for purchasing. Having a variety of seed catalogues, whether in print or online, can be beneficial as each one has its own unique specialties. Reading variety descriptions can be very informative as they show the range of traits that a single crop can have. For example, some broccoli varieties produce one large head while others, like Piracicaba, have smaller florets that grow over several weeks. Seed catalogs also offer valuable growing information, such as which varieties are more heat-resistant. This knowledge can help you plan when to sow each variety so you can enjoy a continuous harvest. The availability of digital resources, such as Johnny's Grower's Library, has further enhanced the educational support provided by seed companies. This has led to an increase in visits to such online resources. Do not give in to impulse purchases. Prepare for seed-shopping and garden-planning season by checking your leftover seed supplies in a cool, dry cupboard. Take inventory to avoid buying duplicates and wasting money. It's okay to try new things occasionally, but make sure to research succession planting before placing your orders. Looking to improve your personal seed security? Consider purchasing open-pollinated varieties instead of hybrids, which may not produce true from seed, and save their seeds for the following year. Be prepared to be flexible and adapt like a seed. Despite careful planning, companies cannot accurately predict factors such as the number of returning customers or new customers in the upcoming year. One element that was consistent between 2019 and 2020 was noted by D’errico. Johnny's Selected Seeds had the same top 12 crops selling well among home gardeners, although they were in a slightly different order. The top four crops - zinnias, bush beans, heirloom tomatoes, and hot peppers - remained unchanged in their ranking. However, sellers and buyers should be prepared to adjust to changes. Tursini from High Mowing Organic Seeds recommended being flexible and trying out different varieties if a particular one is sold out, as you might discover one that you like even more. "Order early, but remain calm," she advised, a sentiment also expressed by Breen of Fedco Seeds. "Be thoughtful and plan your garden, not your apocalyptic survival strategy." Here are some sources for seeds. Many of the companies listed are farm-based and not just resellers, but also grow and sometimes breed their own stock. Along with Johnny's Selected Seeds, Fedco Seeds, and High Mowing Organic Seeds, notable Northeastern companies include Hudson Valley Seed, Turtle Tree Seed, and Fruition Seeds. Prairie Road Organic Seed, based in North Dakota, offers beans and tomatoes specially adapted to cold climates. The Pacific Northwest has a favorable climate for seed-farming, leading to the establishment of some exceptional companies like Adaptive Seeds, Siskiyou Seeds, Uprising Seeds, and Wild Garden Seed. For those looking for heat-adapted seeds for Southeastern gardens or wanting to try okra and greasy beans, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Sow True Seed are recommended. Companies catering to challenging growing conditions include Redwood Seed Co. in Northern California, High Desert Seed and Gardens in high-altitude Colorado, Native Seed/SEARCH in arid Arizona, and Snake River Seed Cooperative in Idaho. Despite being located in Iowa, Seed Savers Exchange is a national resource due to its nonprofit mission of preserving heirloom varieties. Some of the collection was acquired through Glenn Drowns from Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa. Orders must be placed through traditional mail as there is no online shopping option, but the variety of seeds available is impressive. © 2020 New York Times News Service.

Scientists have reported that bacteria consumed almost all of the methane released from BP's broken wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico last year, which could have contributed to climate change. Approximately 200,000 tons of methane were released, but bacteria in the deep water of the Gulf managed to consume most of it before it could reach the atmosphere. This process did lead to a loss of about 1 million tons of dissolved oxygen in certain areas, but it did not result in a significant decrease in oxygen levels overall. The study, published in the journal Science, addresses the importance of understanding what happens to methane in the environment due to its potent greenhouse gas effects. Similar to carbon dioxide, methane is produced by both natural and human activities, including the petroleum industry. Following the BP blowout in April 2010, methane was not being consumed in and around the wellhead for two months, raising concerns among scientists that it could remain in the water and eventually reach the atmosphere, potentially exacerbating climate change by trapping heat. Research suggests that large releases of methane into the atmosphere have occurred in the past, primarily from natural sources, prompting investigation into the role of bacteria in these instances. The BP spill provided an unintentional opportunity to observe how certain bacteria thrived on a diet of methane, multiplying rapidly as the methane dispersed through the underwater plume created by the damaged well. The highest methane consumption likely occurred in late July and early August. In addition to methane, other organisms also consumed hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane released during the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The methane-eating bacteria were the last to join the feast, and based on previous observations, scientists were unsure if they would be able to effectively consume the methane. Initially, it was believed that the bacteria would work much slower due to the usual slow consumption rate of methane. The scientists suggested that because the bacteria were able to consume a significant amount of methane, they may also be able to absorb other substantial releases of deep ocean methane. Last month, the US government filed a civil suit against BP and its partners for the damage caused by the spill. The White House commission on the oil spill concluded that BP and its partners made cost-cutting decisions that played a role in causing the spill.

A group of scientists stated that slight variations in the sun's energy output can significantly affect global weather patterns, such as the Indian monsoon intensity, and these changes can be predicted years in advance. The sun goes through an 11-year cycle which is measured by the number of sunspots emitting bursts of energy on its surface. The difference in energy output between a solar maximum and minimum is only about 0.1 percent, making it challenging for meteorologists to determine how this small variation impacts the world's climate. By analyzing a century of weather data and using complex computer models, an international team of scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in the United States demonstrated that even a small increase in the sun's energy can enhance wind and rainfall patterns. Julie Arblaster, from the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research and a co-author of the study published in the journal Science, noted that the effects of small changes in the sun's output during the 11-year solar cycle have long been recognized to influence the global climate system. For the first time, researchers have explained how minor changes are magnified to cause cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and increased rainfall away from the equator. During times of high solar activity, the stratosphere warms up over the tropics due to intense sunlight. This warming affects wind patterns in the upper atmosphere, leading to more rainfall in tropical areas. Additionally, increased sunlight during solar maximum slightly warms ocean surface waters in the subtropical Pacific, where clouds are usually sparse. This additional heat causes increased evaporation, resulting in more water vapor. The surplus moisture is transported by trade winds to the typically wet regions of the western tropical Pacific, causing increased rainfall. Forecasts suggest that in the tropical eastern Pacific, sea surface temperatures will slightly decrease, leading to conditions resembling a La Nina event. La Nina is the opposite of El Nino, bringing more precipitation to the western Pacific and less to parts of South America. Many regional climate patterns, including the Indian monsoon, are heavily influenced by the movement of rising and sinking air in the tropics and subtropics. Solar-cycle predictions could assist meteorologists in estimating how variations in circulation patterns, sea surface temperatures, and regional weather patterns might occur. NCAR scientist Gerald Meehl, the lead author of the study, believes that the sun, stratosphere, and oceans are interconnected and can impact events such as winter rainfall in North America. Understanding the influence of the solar cycle could offer valuable insights as scientists strive to predict regional weather patterns in the coming decades. The sun is currently in a quiet phase following a solar minimum at the end of last year, as reported by the Space Weather Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States. The next peak in solar activity is expected in May 2013. Brad Carter, a senior lecturer in physics at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, commented that the paper is a valuable contribution to understanding how solar activity can impact climate. He emphasized that while solar activity can have detectable climatic effects, it is not the cause of global warming in recent years. For more information, visit: www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/.

At least 14 individuals lost their lives due to rising waters in basements. A tornado in southern New Jersey destroyed a row of houses. Some drivers have been stuck since Wednesday night, over 200,000 residences in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are still without electricity, and states of emergency have been declared in the area. The heavy rain on Wednesday caused streets and subway platforms to flood and forced emergency personnel to rescue individuals from car rooftops and flooded residences using boats. Numerous individuals on trains and subways had to be evacuated. The rain that fell recently broke previous records set by Tropical Storm Henri just 11 days earlier. This highlights the warnings from climate scientists that these storms are becoming more common on a planet that is heating up, leading to stronger and larger storms. While the skies are now clearing, several of the city's subway lines and commuter rail services are still partially suspended. Many flights were cancelled at the airports. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with some rivers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania still rising. In New York City, the deceased individuals ranged in age from a 2-year-old boy to an 86-year-old woman, according to police. In Queens, some individuals tragically drowned in basement apartments due to a system of makeshift and often illegally converted living spaces. City officials in Elizabeth, New Jersey reported five deaths in an apartment complex, while Passaic, New Jersey experienced one death as the Passaic River overflowed onto the streets. Central Park received 3.15 inches of rain in one hour on Wednesday, breaking the record of 1.94 inches set on August 21. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency in New York City for the first time, struggling to convey the level of danger. In Bergen County, the most populous county in New Jersey, County Executive James Tedesco, who used to be a firefighter, stated on Thursday that they were not completely devastated but very close to it. He mentioned that the situation was the worst he had ever seen. The remnants of Ida moved across parts of southern New England on Thursday. By 5 a.m. Thursday, the system was near eastern Long Island, New York, moving northeast at 28 mph towards Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with maximum sustained winds of 28 mph. Following heavy rain overnight, more rain was expected in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, where flash flood warnings were issued, according to the weather service. The weather service also warned of the potential for rare high-impact flooding in southern New England. The rain has already led to flash flooding in various areas such as small creeks, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, as well as other locations with poor drainage and low elevation, as reported by the weather service. Despite the rain moving away, there are still many roads flooded in southern New England. The Weather Service in Boston warned that it will take some time for the water to go down in these areas, advising people not to try to cross flooded roads and to turn around to avoid danger. Rhode Island has experienced two tropical storms, Henri last month and Elsa in July, so far this hurricane season. Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.

Computer simulations of global weather patterns will eventually be able to accurately predict weather events such as El Nino within a few kilometers, but it may take 20 to 40 years for this level of accuracy to be achieved as computer technology continues to advance. Alan Thorpe, director general of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, believes that with advancements in climate science, climate models will be able to provide valuable information on weather variability in the future. Models with high resolution can be utilized for weather forecasting, climate analysis, and predicting climate change. The accuracy of results from these models is dependent on the computer's capacity. Currently, some climate models have a resolution of 100 km, a significant improvement from 10 to 15 years ago when the resolution was around 300 km. There are already global weather models running at a 16 km resolution, indicating that the science and models are available to address the high resolution issue, but there is a need for more powerful computers to support this. Thorpe mentioned that acquiring a top-end supercomputer could cost up to 200 million pounds, which is approximately 7 percent of the UK's annual science budget of 3 billion pounds. Thorpe emphasized the importance of acknowledging the significant impact of climate change on society and allocating resources accordingly. Experts caution that the most severe effects of climate change may occur in the years leading up to 2050. Some climate models have been criticized for their lack of accuracy in predicting extreme events well into the future. ECMWF scientists are conducting extensive research on tipping points in the climate system, where sudden and irreversible changes could occur. These non-linear behaviors are of utmost concern and require careful consideration. He stated that the exact number of tipping points is still unknown, but if the entire science budget were dedicated to studying them, progress could be accelerated. Despite ongoing research in these areas, some tipping points are expected to occur in the near future, such as the disappearance of summer Arctic sea ice or the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

The risk was highlighted recently when a research facility near Ukraine's national seed bank in Kharkiv was damaged during intense bombing by Russian forces. The Crop Trust, a non-profit organization associated with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, reported the incident but did not provide further details for security reasons. Only 4% of the seeds in Ukraine's seed bank, which is the tenth largest in the world, have been backed up, making it a close call. Seed banks act as a form of insurance for humanity by providing the necessary resources for developing new plant varieties that can resist various challenges such as drought, pests, diseases, and extreme temperatures. Stefan Schmitz, the executive director of Crop Trust, emphasized the importance of preserving Ukraine's seed bank, stating that its destruction would be a significant loss. Despite efforts to contact the seed bank director, Ukraine's academy of science's refusal to comment, and Russia's defence ministry's lack of response, researchers depend on the genetic diversity stored in seed banks to cultivate plants that can adapt to climate change and combat diseases. They have become increasingly crucial in ensuring sufficient food production each season to feed 7.9 billion people as the world's weather patterns become more extreme. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the third and fourth largest grain exporters in the world, has contributed to food price inflation and the risk of food scarcity. This has led to protests in developing nations that rely on Ukraine's grain exports. The war in Syria has underscored the importance of seed backup, with the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway acting as the world's largest and most significant seed duplication facility. Following the destruction of a seed bank near Aleppo in Syria, the Svalbard vault was able to provide replacement samples of wheat, barley, and dry region grasses to researchers in Lebanon in 2015. Overall, the Svalbard vault safeguards over a million seed samples in a facility located in an Arctic mountainside. These consist of 4% of Ukraine's 150,000 seeds, which represent more than 1,800 crops. The Crop Trust, based in Germany and the only international organization dedicated to preserving crop diversity, has provided funding to Ukraine for seed duplication. However, challenges related to security and logistics, compounded by the impacts of war and natural cycles, make it difficult to expedite the process. Schmitz, an expert, estimated that only about 10% of Ukraine's seeds could be successfully duplicated within a year, as they must be planted, grown, and harvested at the appropriate time before duplicates can be extracted and sent to Svalbard. As a last resort, the option of sending the entire collection to Svalbard without duplication has been considered, but Schmitz expressed concerns about the feasibility of this approach in times of war. The Syrian seeds originated from the Fertile Crescent, the region where settled farming is believed to have originated, highlighting Ukraine's significant role in agriculture. Grethe Helene Evjen, a senior adviser at the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, mentioned that agriculture in Ukraine dates back to prehistoric times and highlighted the uniqueness of many of the country's seeds. She also stated that the ministry is prepared to assist Ukraine in replicating and preserving all of its seeds at Svalbard, but has not yet been approached by Ukrainian authorities for assistance.

Scientists have found links between a warming planet and hurricanes, heat waves, and droughts, suggesting that climate change may have played a role in these events. However, connecting tornadoes to climate change has proven to be more challenging. Despite ongoing research on tornado trends and behavior, the extent to which climate change impacts tornadoes remains uncertain. Many questions regarding the relationship between climate change and tornadoes still lack definitive answers, according to experts in the field. Tornadoes are created within large rotating thunderstorms as a result of a combination of temperature, moisture profile, and wind profile. They form when unstable air causes cold air to move over warmer humid air, creating an updraft as the warm air rises. If wind speed or direction changes abruptly over a short distance, the air inside the clouds can begin to spin. Tornadoes, like hurricanes and earthquakes, are classified on a scale called the Enhanced Fujita, or EF, scale, which ranges from 0 to 5. The tornado that swept through northeast Arkansas, Tennessee, and western Kentucky recently was approximately three-quarters of a mile wide and had wind speeds reaching between 158 and 206 mph, earning it a minimum EF rating of 3. Because it is difficult to directly measure the winds within a tornado, experts typically assess tornadoes based on the extent of damage to various structures. This may involve determining whether only roof shingles are missing or if entire sections of roofs or walls have been destroyed. By analyzing the damage, researchers can estimate the wind speeds and assign a rating to the tornado. There is evidence to suggest that tornado patterns have changed in recent years, with tornadoes occurring in more concentrated "clusters" and the traditional tornado alley in the Great Plains shifting eastward. The total amount of tornadoes each year remains consistent at approximately 1,200. Tornadoes in the US during December are uncommon, as they usually happen in the spring. The tornadoes on Friday may have been caused by high wind shear, which is typically at its highest during the winter, and warmer than usual weather. The text raises the question of whether climate change is the reason for these occurrences. The elements that contribute to tornado formation are warm, moist air near the ground, cool dry air at higher altitudes, and wind shear, which refers to changes in wind speed or direction. These factors may be impacted differently by climate change. According to Brooks from NOAA, as the planet heats up and the climate shifts, these factors may not all change in the same way. While temperature and humidity may increase, providing more energy in the atmosphere, wind shear may not. Without sufficient wind shear to create rotation, the strength of the energy does not matter. The small size of tornadoes makes it difficult to model them accurately for attributing extreme weather events to climate change. The tornado record is limited compared to other types of events, possibly because tornadoes are localized weather events and are typically reported by individuals who witness them. This indicates that smaller or unnoticed tornadoes may go unreported. ©2021 The New York Times Company.

As they neared publication, they felt uneasy about their research findings which showed two very different outcomes for ocean life in the next three centuries depending on actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study's title seemed to only emphasize negative consequences, so the researchers added a word to emphasize that their grim results could still be prevented. The latest research published in Science on Thursday, titled "Avoiding Ocean Mass Extinction From Climate Warming," highlights the critical moment that humanity is currently facing. The decisions made now regarding greenhouse gas emissions will have a significant impact on the future of life on Earth, even though the most severe consequences may seem distant. According to the scientists' high emissions scenario, if pollution from fossil fuel combustion continues to increase, warming could lead to a loss of ocean species by 2300 comparable to the five mass extinctions in Earth's history, one of which resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs. Penn, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton, described his reaction to seeing a graph comparing past extinctions with future forecasts as more of an "oh, my God" moment than an "aha" moment. Scientists found that reducing emissions to stay within the upper limit of the Paris climate agreement could decrease ocean extinction risks by over 70%. This would result in about 4% of species being lost by the end of the century, with warming stopping at that point. Deutsch emphasized that our choices have significant impacts. While there is a general agreement that shifting away from coal and towards wind and solar energy could prevent the worst-case scenario, the continued use of oil and gas is on the rise, and the world is not currently on track to meet the lower-emissions scenario proposed by scientists. The recent study expands on Deutsch and Penn's previous research by developing a computer simulation that examines the most devastating extinction event on Earth around 252 million years ago. Known as "the Great Dying," this event led to the extinction of over 90% of ocean species due to global warming caused by volcanic eruptions. The oceans suffered from oxygen depletion, leading to the demise of fish due to heat stress or lack of oxygen. The computer model revealed higher extinction rates at the poles compared to the tropics, a finding that was supported by the fossil record. The scientists utilized a complex model to predict the impacts of human-driven global warming, taking into consideration various factors such as sunlight, clouds, ocean and air currents, and chemical interactions among heat, oxygen, water, and air. The study also considered potential shifts in fish habitats and estimated survivability thresholds. While the focus was on warming and oxygen loss, other effects like ocean acidification could exacerbate the predicted species loss. The ocean has traditionally served as a buffer against climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and trapped heat from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The service provided has resulted in negative consequences. The ocean experienced its highest temperature and lowest oxygen content on record last year. These changes are posing a threat to fish and causing a decline in coral reefs. Many people are asking how much trouble we are in. Nations are failing to take the necessary actions to avoid catastrophic climate change, with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in jeopardy. The International Energy Agency has called for an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects, but countries continue to approve them, with calls for more drilling in the name of energy security. Scientists feel like the ignored characters in the movie "Don't Look Up," where a comet represents climate change. The planet is at a crucial moment, with current generations holding significant power in shaping the future. Deutsch stated that with great power comes great responsibility, but society is not fully understanding its responsibility to future generations and the planet's other life forms. Pippa Moore, a marine science professor at Newcastle University, praised the study for its thoroughness and added that it reinforces the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent significant changes in marine ecosystems and potential extinction events. Brad Plumer also contributed to the reporting.

A group of US economists have stated that China is producing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than previously believed, which will hinder global efforts to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gases. China is the second-largest emitter of CO2 in the world, and some studies suggest it may have surpassed the United States in emissions last year. This report may increase pressure on China to agree to mandatory emissions reductions, a step it has so far resisted. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and UC San Diego wrote in the May issue of the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management that China's CO2 emissions are projected to increase by at least 11 percent annually from 2004 to 2010. Earlier estimates, including those used by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predicted a 2.5 to 5 percent annual rise in CO2 emissions for the region that includes China during the same period. The article was released in anticipation of a meeting among energy and environment ministers from the top 20 greenhouse gas emitting nations, who will be discussing climate change, clean energy, and sustainable development in Japan. These nations, including the United States, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa, are responsible for about 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. There is increasing pressure for these countries to come to an agreement to stop and reverse the growing emissions of CO2, which is the main gas contributing to global warming. According to U.S. researchers, China is projected to see a 600 million metric ton increase in CO2 emissions by 2010 compared to 2000 levels, surpassing the 116 million metric ton reduction in carbon emissions pledged by developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol from 2008-2012. China is not required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during 2008-12 as per the Kyoto agreement. However, they participated in talks in Bali to create a new global emissions-fighting pact starting in 2013. Researchers used pollution data from 30 provinces and China's official waste gas emissions data to analyze CO2 emissions up to 2004. According to Maximillian Auffhammer, UC Berkeley assistant professor of agricultural and resource economics, it was expected that China's CO2 emissions growth rate would slow down as income increased, but it has actually exceeded expectations, making it much more challenging to stabilize atmospheric CO2 levels. The report indicated that a contributing factor to the problem was a shift towards granting provinces more control over the construction of power plants after 2000. According to Richard Carson, an economics professor at UC San Diego, wealthier coastal provinces invested in clean-burning power plants with advanced technology, while poorer interior provinces opted for outdated Soviet technology from the 1950s. Carson emphasized that power plants are typically built to last for several decades, meaning that these choices have locked provinces into high emissions levels for the long term. Consequently, China now faces the challenge of dealing with power plants that are both dirty and inefficient.

Supporters of a worldwide agreement prohibiting nuclear tests announced on Tuesday their intention to utilize US President Barack Obama's efforts towards disarmament to advance their goals at the United Nations this month. Obama has expressed backing for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has not yet been enforced due to the fact that his country is one of nine nations with significant nuclear activities that have not ratified it. "Now more than ever, the time has come to promote the non-proliferation regime," stated Omar Zniber, Morocco's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, where the CTBT agency is headquartered, during a press conference. Morocco and France are leading the effort to encourage nuclear-armed countries like India, Pakistan, and North Korea to sign the treaty. Other countries that have not yet ratified the treaty include Egypt, Iran, and Israel. Senior officials from states in the CTBT and the UN Security Council will gather at the United Nations in New York on September 24-25 to discuss the treaty. This is the first time in ten years that the United States will participate in such discussions. Previous administrations, such as George W. Bush's, did not prioritize nuclear diplomacy and arms control, leading to the Senate failing to ratify the treaty in 1999 during the Clinton administration. Critics at the time believed there was no foolproof way to ensure compliance with the treaty, but advancements in verification technology have since been made. President Obama has pledged to make renewed efforts to secure Senate ratification. His administration and Russia have emphasized the importance of eliminating nuclear arsenals worldwide, starting with their own countries. The upcoming UN talks will coincide with a special Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, chaired by Obama. Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the CTBT implementing agency, believes that while the US-Russian commitment to gradual disarmament is significant, a global test ban pact is also possible in the current diplomatic climate. He sees a renewed focus on multilateralism and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, emphasizing the need for tangible results from these efforts. This treaty is considered the one that is most likely to achieve something significant. Approximately 180 countries have agreed to the treaty, and about 150 have officially approved it. However, the treaty cannot be enforced until all nine nuclear states sign and ratify it. Supporters believe that if the United States joins the treaty, it will encourage other countries to do the same.

The new computer models, based on an "exceptional number of extreme heatwaves" in the past decade, are more concerning than the conclusions of the UN panel of climate scientists last year. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report stated that heatwaves are likely to increase in length, frequency, and intensity over most land areas this century. Monthly heat extremes in summer currently affect five percent of the world's land area, but this is projected to double by 2020 and quadruple by 2040. The tropics would be most affected by increased heatwaves, followed by other regions such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, parts of western Europe, central Asia, and the United States. Without curbing greenhouse gas emissions, many regions could experience summer months hotter than their current hottest temperatures by the end of the century. The IPCC warns that heat-trapping gases from burning fossil fuels are raising temperatures and causing more severe weather events such as downpours, floods, and rising sea levels. Global governments have agreed to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times and are working towards a deal to curb greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015. Since the Industrial Revolution, global average surface temperatures have risen by 0.8C (1.4F).

US scientists reported on Wednesday that approximately 74 percent of the oil from the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been removed, with 26 percent remaining either as a sheen or tarballs, buried in sediment, or washed ashore. According to the report "BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Budget : What Happened to the Oil?", one quarter of the oil released was removed through burning, skimming, and direct recovery from the wellhead. Another 25 percent evaporated or dissolved, while 24 percent was dispersed into small droplets. The remaining oil is on or just beneath the water's surface, washed ashore, or buried in sand and sediments at the sea bottom. The Unified Command, made up of government and private efforts, has handled 33 percent of the oil spill. The report discovered that oil was collected from the wellhead through various methods such as riser pipe insertion tube and top hat systems (17 percent), burning (5 percent), skimming (3 percent), and chemical dispersion (8 percent). The remaining 74 percent was naturally removed. Carol Browner, energy and climate change adviser to President Barack Obama, stated on ABC's "Good Morning America" that the majority of the oil seems to have disappeared according to scientists' initial assessment. She also expressed that this is a significant milestone.

According to state media, China is set to complete a new research station in the interior of Antarctica next year. The station, located on Dome A, the highest point on the continent, will be the country's third scientific research station in Antarctica. The expedition to build the main structure of the station will begin in November and is expected to be finished by January. The station will be used for studying various aspects including the ice core dating from 1.2 million years ago, geological evolution under the icecap, global climate changes, and astronomy. Multiple nations with claims in Antarctica have been presenting their cases to the United Nations, marking what some experts believe to be the final major division of territory in history. Chile, Argentina, and Britain are in dispute over certain regions of the continent, with increasing focus on the possibility of mineral exploitation in the North and South Poles. However, current claims are only theoretical due to a 1959 treaty that safeguards Antarctica from mineral exploitation, allowing only scientific research.

The countries were categorized into four regions: North and South America, northern and western Europe, southern and eastern Europe, and Non-Americas and non-Europe. No data was available from India or China. Lead author Carlos Nordt from the University of Zurich stated that there was a strong link between unemployment and suicide rates in all four regions, despite country-specific differences. The study revealed that changes in unemployment rates affected both genders and age groups equally. After the crisis in 2008, there was a short-term increase of 5,000 suicides, totaling around 46,000 suicides associated with unemployment that year. The impact of unemployment on suicide was greater in countries with lower pre-crisis unemployment rates. The researchers recommended investments in programs that help people find jobs and promote a healthy work environment, even in countries with lower unemployment rates. The findings suggest that suicide prevention strategies should focus on the negative health effects of unemployment during times of economic stability and recession. The study was published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.

At 1034 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.9 percent, bringing its gains for the year to 5.3 percent. While this year's performance is not as strong as the 14 percent gains seen in 2006 at this time, European shares have rebounded 9.5 percent from a low point in August when concerns over credit market issues were at their peak. France Telecom saw a 6.5 percent increase in its shares following strong results, which also boosted Vodafone by 4 percent and made the telecoms sector the best performer in Europe. ABB, a Swiss engineering group, experienced a 3.7 percent rise after an 86 percent increase in quarterly earnings due to high demand for power generation infrastructure. Meanwhile, French competitor Alstom saw a 5.6 percent increase in its shares after Lehman Brothers raised its target price for the stock. Although earnings growth is expected to slow down this quarter after a strong period, many companies have reported positive numbers. Gerhard Schwarz, head of global equity strategy at Unicredit in Munich, stated that the earnings season could give investors confidence as results have been better than expected. However, he noted a trend of increasing selectivity and mentioned that it is too early to determine if earnings growth in Europe will slow down less than in the United States. Daimler, a German auto group, reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded forecasts, causing its stock to rise by 1.5 percent. In terms of macroeconomic news, U.S. durable goods orders and new home sales data are expected later in the day, with financial markets already factoring in a 100 percent likelihood of a U.S. interest rate cut next week. Additionally, data from the Ifo economic research institute indicated a decrease in its German business climate index in October, as anticipated by the market. In European markets, London's FTSE 100, Frankfurt's DAX, and Paris's CAC-40 all increased by more than 1 percent. European stocks have experienced a volatile period, with a recovery following a 13 percent drop in one month from mid-July. This recovery has been influenced by cuts in the Federal Reserve's discount and main funds rates. However, the market has been sensitive to negative news regarding banks' exposure to credit market issues. U.S. stocks also saw a rebound on Wednesday amid speculation of a potential cut in the discount rate by the Federal Reserve. Despite the Fed not confirming these rumors, there is growing anticipation for further easing measures to alleviate market stress caused by earnings disappointments and concerns about credit market instability. Mergers and acquisitions, which have been a major factor in the ongoing bullish market, continued to drive stock prices higher. Rexel, a French electrical supplier, saw an increase of 8.5 percent in its shares after announcing plans to divide Dutch competitor Hagemeyer with privately held Sonepar, causing Hagemeyer's shares to drop by 3.3 percent. Generali's shares rose by 5.7 percent, following a 2.6 percent increase the day before, after British fund Algebris criticized the Italian insurer's corporate governance and called for changes. Additionally, Spanish bank Santander saw a 1.6 percent increase in its stock price as its nine-month net profit exceeded market expectations.

A team of international scientists discovered a long-standing error in ocean temperature measurements, indicating that the world's seas are warming and rising at a faster rate than previously thought. By analyzing millions of ship-based measurements dating back to 1950, with a focus on data from 1960, the team identified a mistake in data collected from a common probe known as an XBT. By correcting this error and applying a sophisticated statistical analysis to sea temperature data, the team was able to provide a more accurate estimate of global ocean warming and sea level rise. According to team member Catia Domingues, the rate of ocean warming from 1961 to 2003 is approximately 50 percent higher than previously reported. Co-author John Church had been skeptical of historical data for some time, as it did not align with results from climate and ocean models. Church, a senior research scientist at the climate center, mentioned that after realigning the observations, the models now align much better with the data. By comparing XBT observations with research ship data, scientists can estimate the errors associated with XBTs. This is crucial because the oceans store over 90 percent of the planet's heat and can help mitigate the effects of climate change. Warmer water expands, leading to rising sea levels, along with run-off from melting glaciers and ice sheets. Church's team estimated a global average surface warming of 0.4 degrees Celsius between 1961 and 2003, with seas rising 1.6 millimeters annually during this time period, he added. Since 1993, sea levels have been rising at a rate of more than 3 mm per year due to increased consumption of fossil fuels by the world. XBTs, which were once commonly used by commercial vessels to measure temperatures as they sank into the ocean, have now been mostly replaced by satellites and permanent probes. The disposable XBTs were thrown overboard with a wire attached, but inaccuracies in calculating their descent could lead to errors in depth and temperature readings. To address this issue, Susan Wijffels and her colleagues developed a mathematical formula to correct the errors. This, along with a more comprehensive statistical analysis of global ocean temperature data, provided a clearer understanding that aligned closely with commonly used computer models predicting the behavior of the climate and oceans due to global warming. According to Church, the findings show a consistent warming trend and an increase in that warming, which enhances confidence in the accuracy of future projections. Additionally, observations suggest that actual sea level rise is in line with the higher end of projected estimates. The U.N. Climate Panel's recent assessment projected a potential sea level rise of up to 80 cm by the end of the century if carbon dioxide levels are not controlled.

However, throughout the United States, the elevations of various structures, landmarks, valleys, and hills are expected to change in relation to average sea level. According to Juliana P Blackwell, the director of the National Geodetic Survey, most of these features will decrease in height. In the Pacific Northwest, some areas may shrink by up to 5 feet, while parts of Alaska could see a decrease of 6 1/2 feet. Seattle, for example, is projected to be 4.3 feet lower than its current elevation. This shift is due to the fact that height is determined in comparison to a reference point, and geodesists are redefining this reference point, or vertical datum, which is used to calculate height. The completion of a complex math and physics task, expected to take fifteen years, is seen as a significant achievement by experts in the field. This effort, known as "height modernisation," is part of a larger initiative by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to accurately determine the position of the United States on the planet. The new National Spatial Reference System, which will include height, latitude, longitude, and time, is set to be implemented in late 2022 or 2023, replacing outdated reference systems from the 1980s. These older systems were based on calculations done before the widespread use of supercomputers and GPS technology. The inaccuracies in elevation become more pronounced when traveling diagonally across the country from the southeast to the northwest. The only part of the United States where elevation is predicted to remain steady or slightly increase is the southern tip of Florida. According to Blackwell, there is a noticeable incline that indicates errors in the vertical network are concentrated in the northwest. Elevation has always been linked to pride. Blackwell mentioned that some residents of Colorado are concerned that a few of their highest peaks may no longer meet the criteria for boasting rights under the updated elevation system. She stated that there is concern about the potential decrease in the height of certain landmarks in Colorado, and the exact measurements are still unknown. In Beaumont, Texas, residents are facing the challenge of certain areas sinking, causing them to now be in the floodplain. As a result, some landowners may need to obtain flood insurance. The US has been measuring its height since 1807, when Thomas Jefferson established the Survey of the Coast. The survey was the first civilian scientific organization in the nation, with the goal of improving safety in shipping. As the country expanded to the west, so did the surveying efforts, using the coast as a reference point for zero elevation. Surveyors placed metal bench marks in the land as they traveled, noting each point's height above sea level in detail. These bench marks were used by anyone needing to measure the height of a structure or geographical feature, allowing them to indirectly reference sea level. The process known as geodetic levelling was meticulous and costly. The goal was to ensure that heights were consistently measured in a standardized manner nationwide, rather than each region having its own methods. This was important for projects such as building bridges that crossed state lines, where engineers needed to ensure alignment. By 1900, advancements in geodesy had led to a more refined approach, with a model of sea level based on tide readings replacing the use of coastlines as a reference point. The height reference has been adjusted five times since 1903, with the 1988 model being the standard in the US and Mexico. However, this version was inaccurate for California and parts of Texas and North Carolina due to significant movements in the crust caused by tectonic plate activity and extraction of resources. Geodesist David B Zilkoski suggested using GPS technology to address this issue. GPS is very accurate in determining your location in a two-dimensional system, such as at a specific intersection. However, it can also provide your location in a three-dimensional world, including height above sea level. In the mid-1990s, the idea of using GPS to update height measurements became popular due to its affordability and simplicity. Satellites and GPS systems calculate height in relation to a smoothed-out mathematical representation of the Earth's shape known as an ellipsoid. Imagine a basketball that is compressed at the top and bottom. However, there was a significant issue. James L Davis, a geophysicist at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in New York, pointed out that GPS technology has limitations when it comes to understanding gravity. This topographic research is being conducted in the Glacier Bay region of Alaska, as reported by The New York Times. Geodesists rely on gravity in their work, as height is determined by the direction and strength of gravity, which is influenced by the density of the terrain below and near it. This means that height is not just a measurement of distance above the ground, but is interconnected with gravity and mass distribution. Geodesists prefer to use the term "height" instead of "elevation" to reflect this relationship. Davis noted that when discussing gravity in public lectures, he often spends a significant portion of the talk encouraging people to reconsider their understanding of it. As a consequence, relying solely on GPS for height measurements could result in significant inaccuracies. Neglecting to consider local variations in gravity could lead to issues such as water not flowing properly through pipes. However, incorporating detailed measurements of the gravitational field into GPS data is a complex undertaking. In 2007, the National Geodetic Survey initiated a large-scale project called GRAV-D, aimed at redefining the American Vertical Datum by utilizing gravity measurements. Geodesists will use this data to create a model that accurately represents average sea level worldwide, including on land. Due to the varying pull of gravity, the geoid model looks like a lumpy potato and will be used as a reference for measuring heights. Once the new height system is implemented, it is expected that people will discover new and unexpected applications for it, according to Blackwell from the National Geodetic Survey. She referenced "The Jetsons," a 1960s animated sitcom depicting characters moving around cities in small spacecraft, to highlight how the technology to rapidly and accurately calculate heights and coordinates was previously unimaginable. In today's world, the importance of accurate navigation in three dimensions is increasing due to the widespread use of drones, self-driving cars, and remotely operated aerial systems. One expert believes that this technology will be adopted rapidly. While geodesists are improving their ability to calculate the shape of the Earth, human activities such as global warming are causing changes to the planet. The melting of glaciers and ice sheets is transferring their mass from land to the ocean, leading to rising sea levels and ultimately altering elevations referenced to sea level. The change in mass is impacting the planet's configuration as explained by Davis from Columbia University. The mass on Earth's surface is causing the planet to change shape. Essentially, human activity related to climate change is causing gravity to be altered globally. This is occurring through chemical changes in the atmosphere that result in the movement of mass, which is currently at a significant level. Davis and other scientists are currently working to improve the accuracy of calculating the impact of human activities on the Earth. They are particularly focused on understanding changes in the geoid shape and Earth's rotation. This research is crucial in predicting future events and is seen as a race to gather the necessary data.

A study published in Nature Geoscience by an international team of geoscientists reveals that recent volcanic activity in Panama and Costa Rica sheds light on the process of continent-building that occurred billions of years ago. While it was previously believed that all of the earth's continental crust was formed during a specific period in history, the new research shows that "juvenile" continental crust has been created throughout the earth's history. This challenges the previous notion that all continental crust is recycled through tectonic plate collisions. Senior study author Esteban Gazel, an assistant professor of geology at Virginia Tech, stated that the discovery suggests that the earth has not always recycled all of its continental crust, with exceptions producing new crust. The melting of the oceanic crust created the Galapagos islands, which provided the necessary conditions for the formation of continental crust. Researchers found that the composition of erupted lavas became more similar to continental crust about 10 million years ago. They also observed seismic waves moving through the crust at speeds similar to those in continental crust worldwide. Other examples of recently formed juvenile continental crust include the western Aleutian Islands and the Iwo-Jima segment of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc system. This study raises questions about the global impact of newly formed continental crust on the evolution of continents and life. One instance is the creation of the Central American land bridge, which led to the blocking of the seaway. This altered ocean circulation, isolated marine species, and significantly influenced the planet's climate. Gazel stated that this discovery has unveiled a significant aspect of our planet's evolution.

Scientists have discovered that modern humans may have departed Africa for Arabia much earlier than previously believed, possibly up to 65,000 years earlier. This migration was likely due to environmental factors rather than technological advancements. Contrary to previous studies, it is now believed that the migrants took a direct route to the Arabian Peninsula from Africa, rather than traveling through the Nile Valley or the Near East. Researchers unearthed an ancient tool kit at the Jebel Faya archaeological site in the United Arab Emirates, containing hand axes, perforators, and scrapers. By using luminescence dating, the team determined that these stone tools are between 100,000 and 125,000 years old. Simon Armitage from the University of London, who participated in the study, stated that these findings should prompt a re-evaluation of how modern humans spread globally. Hans-Peter Uerpmann from Eberhard Karls University led a study that concluded the tools found were not made in the Middle East but resembled those made by early humans in east Africa. This suggests that people were able to leave Africa without any specific cultural advancements. The research, published in Science, indicates that environmental factors, such as sea levels, were more influential than technological advancements in enabling migration. By analyzing sea-level and climate-change data from the last interglacial period, approximately 130,000 years ago, the researchers determined that the Bab al-Mandab strait between Arabia and the Horn of Africa would have narrowed due to lower sea levels, allowing for a safe passage out of Africa. Uerpmann suggested that during low tide, the straits may have been crossable, leading to the possibility that early humans either walked across or used rafts or boats to travel. Contrary to previous beliefs that the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula would have prevented migration from Africa, a new study indicates that Arabia experienced increased wetness during the last interglacial period, resulting in more lakes, rivers, and vegetation which would have made it easier for humans to make the journey. While there has been much debate about when modern humans left Africa, previous evidence pointed to an exodus along the Mediterranean Sea or Arabian coast approximately 60,000 years ago.

UN scientists stated that as the Earth's climate warms, there will likely be an increase in heat waves, heavier rainfall, more floods, stronger cyclones, landslides, and more intense droughts globally. The IPCC emphasized the importance of countries developing disaster management plans to address the growing risk of extreme weather events caused by human-induced climate change. The report presented varying probabilities for these events based on different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, but overall, the consensus is that extreme weather is expected to become more common. The IPCC report highlighted that warm daily temperature extremes are almost certain to increase in frequency and magnitude in the 21st century, with warm spells or heat waves becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense. According to one emissions scenario, it is projected that a 1-in-20 year hottest day will likely occur every 1-in-2 years by the end of the 21st century in most regions. However, this is not the case in very high latitudes. Heat waves are expected to increase in intensity, with temperatures rising by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius by the mid-21st century and by about 2 to 5 degrees Celsius by the late-21st century, depending on the region and emissions scenario. Delegates from nearly 200 countries will gather in South Africa starting from Nov. 28 for climate talks, with the expected outcome being small steps towards a broader agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat climate change. Despite global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, experts warn that current pledges are insufficient to prevent the planet from warming beyond 2 degrees Celsius, which could lead to more extreme weather events and challenges in food production. Global carbon emissions increased significantly last year, marking a record high following a period of economic recession. It is projected that heavy precipitation will become more common in the 21st century in various parts of the world, particularly in high latitudes and tropical regions. The IPCC defines "likely" as a two-thirds chance or more, and predicts a rise in local flooding in certain areas with medium confidence. However, the impact on river floods, which have complex causes, remains uncertain. The report also suggests that tropical cyclones may decrease in frequency but increase in intensity. The report stated that heavy rainfalls linked to tropical cyclones are expected to rise due to ongoing warming. It also mentioned that the average maximum wind speed of tropical cyclones is likely to increase, along with rising sea levels, which are a source of concern for small island states. Droughts, a major worry for a growing population, are also predicted to worsen. The global population recently reached 7 billion and is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, according to UN data. The likelihood of droughts becoming more severe in the 21st century is moderate, primarily as a result of decreased precipitation and/or heightened evapotranspiration in various regions such as southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, central Europe, central North America, Central America and Mexico, northeast Brazil, and southern Africa. Additionally, there is a strong possibility that shrinking glaciers and permafrost due to climate change could lead to an increase in landslides.

The study published in the journal Environmental Research revealed that parts of China, India, Europe, and the northeastern United States are experiencing a disproportionately high number of annual deaths, totaling 8.7 million, due to fossil fuels. This research provides the most detailed assessment to date of premature deaths caused by air pollution from fossil fuels. In comparison, a study from 2017 estimated 4.2 million deaths annually from all outdoor airborne particulate matter, including dust and smoke from agricultural burns and wildfires. Eloise Marais, a co-author of the study and an expert in atmospheric chemistry at University College London, expressed surprise at the large number of deaths attributed to fossil fuel pollution. Previous studies had difficulty distinguishing pollution caused by fossil fuels from other sources of harmful particulates, such as wildfires or dust, using satellite data and ground observations. The team from three British universities and Harvard University aimed to address the issue by using a high-resolution model to identify the specific pollutants people were inhaling in a certain area. With increasing concern about the impact of burning fossil fuels on climate change, the authors hoped that their study, based on 2018 data, would encourage governments to speed up the transition to cleaner energy sources. Co-author Joel Schwartz, an environmental epidemiologist at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, stated that by assessing the health consequences of fossil fuel combustion, they aim to emphasize the advantages of switching to alternative energy sources to policymakers and stakeholders.

Conservationists have reported that around 6,000 rare Irrawaddy dolphins, residing in the freshwater regions of Bangladesh's Sundarbans and adjacent Bay of Bengal waters, form the largest population of these endangered sea mammals in the wild. This discovery was disclosed by the Wildlife Conservation Society at the First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas in Maui. It was noted that previously, the largest known populations of Irrawaddy dolphins only numbered in the low hundreds. Dr. Steven Sanderson, president of the Wildlife Conservation Society, expressed optimism about the protection of this and other endangered species and their habitats due to the presence of a thriving population in Bangladesh. The study, conducted in an area with limited marine mammal research, was authored by Brian Smith, Rubaiyat Mansur Mowgli, and Samantha Strindberg of the Wildlife Conservation Society, as well as Benazir Ahmed of Chittagong University in Bangladesh. Despite the discovery of a significant population of Irrawaddy dolphins, the authors caution that these dolphins are facing a growing threat from accidental entanglement in fishing nets. The researchers encountered two dolphins that had become trapped and drowned in fishing nets during the study, a situation that local fishermen report as being common. The Irrawaddy dolphin, also known as Orcaella brevirostris, can reach up to eight feet in length and inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and freshwater lagoons in South and Southeast Asia. In the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, these dolphins are famous for engaging in "cooperative fishing" with humans, where they help herd schools of fish towards fishing boats and nets to assist fishermen in catching more fish. The dolphins seem to benefit from this partnership by easily capturing the cornered and fallen fish as the fishermen pull the net out of the water. In 2006, WCS played a role in creating a protected area by the Ayeyarwady River to protect the endangered mammal population. The New York-based WCS is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Forests in Bangladesh to establish a protected area network for both Irrawaddy and Ganges River dolphins in the Sundarbans mangrove forest. According to the conservation group, funding is essential for continuing these initiatives as well as WCS's ongoing work to research the impact of climate change on this habitat, promote sustainable fishing methods, and create local ecotourism initiatives.

A study revealed that there has been a decrease in the amount of sunlight being reflected back into space due to shrinking ice and snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere, which was previously underestimated. Satellite data from 1979 to 2008 showed that Arctic sea ice, glaciers, winter snow, and Greenland's ice were reflecting less energy back to space. This decrease in reflection is causing the Earth to absorb more heat, as ground and water are exposed instead of being covered by white ice and snow. The study estimated that ice and snow in the Northern Hemisphere are now reflecting an average of 3.3 watts per square meter of solar energy back to the upper atmosphere, a reduction of 0.45 watt per square meter since the late 1970s. Mark Flanner, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan and lead author of the study, explained that this reduction in cooling effect is causing the planet to absorb more solar energy. He stated that the decrease in solar energy reflected due to warming is more significant than what current climate models suggest, as indicated by a group of researchers based in the US and reported in the journal Nature Geoscience on Sunday. He emphasized that the cryosphere is reacting more sensitively to, and playing a more significant role in, driving climate change than previously believed. With more ground and water being exposed to sunlight, the heat absorbed accelerates the melting of nearby snow and ice. The reduction in Arctic sea ice over the past few decades has been attributed primarily to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Numerous studies predict that Arctic sea ice could disappear in summers later in this century, posing a threat to indigenous hunting cultures and wildlife like polar bears, while also contributing to global climate change. Flanner stated that drawing conclusions about the future rate of melting, such as Arctic sea ice, from the study's 30 years of data was not possible. He emphasized that climate is influenced by many factors, with the reflectivity of snow and ice being just one. Other factors to consider include the presence of clouds, which can reflect sunlight, and an increase in water vapor, which can trap heat in the atmosphere. The study found that for every degree Celsius rise in temperature, there would be a decrease in solar energy reflected out to space from the Northern Hemisphere's snow and ice. In the last thirty years, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere have increased by approximately 0.75 degrees Celsius. The study did not examine the Southern Hemisphere, where Antarctica has more ice but is colder and shows less evidence of warming. Flanner stated that on a worldwide level, the Earth absorbs solar energy at a rate of around 240 watts per square meter annually. Without the Northern Hemisphere's cryosphere, the planet would be darker and absorb an extra 3.3 watts.

In a study published in Environmental Research Letters, researchers stated that peat bogs, which are wetlands containing high levels of carbon from decaying vegetation accumulated over centuries, could play a crucial role in helping the world reach climate goals such as the 2-degree Celsius limit of postindustrial warming outlined in the 2015 Paris agreement. Alexander Popp, a senior scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, emphasized that without protection and restoration efforts, achieving certain greenhouse gas emissions targets would be extremely challenging. Peatlands, found in various regions around the world, make up a small percentage of global land area but hold a significant amount of carbon, approximately twice as much as the world's forests. In undisturbed wetlands, carbon remains wet and undisturbed. However, if a wetland is drained for farming or other purposes, the carbon begins to oxidize and is released into the air as carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to global warming. This process can persist for many years. It is currently believed that drained peatlands around the world release as much carbon dioxide each year as the entire aviation industry. Additionally, dried peatlands are at risk of catching fire, which could rapidly release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Peat fires in Indonesia during September and October 2015 released more carbon dioxide daily than all fossil fuels burned in the European Union. Restoring dried peatlands by allowing them to become wet again would prevent further carbon dioxide release and eliminate fire hazards. Rewetting the peatlands is crucial for reaching mitigation targets, as most climate change strategies predict that land use will become a net carbon sink by the end of the century, slowing global warming. The researchers stated that the majority of existing pathways do not consider emissions from degraded peatland. When they incorporated peatland data into their own land-use model, they discovered that land use would release more carbon dioxide than it stored. By protecting pristine wetlands and restoring 60% of degraded ones, they determined that land use could become a net carbon sink again. Mike Waddington, a peat researcher at McMaster University, praised the study for advocating the restoration of peatlands due to their significant impact on carbon storage despite their small size. He mentioned that the study highlighted the significance of peatlands in global climate control. Currently, efforts to alter land use for climate improvement often overlook the importance of peatlands. While the focus is usually on planting trees to store carbon, there is a tendency to prioritize planting trees in drained peatlands. However, maintaining the integrity of peat bogs is crucial due to their ability to store carbon. Peatlands are typically dried out by digging ditches, leading to the drainage of water. Apart from being converted into croplands or tree plantations, some peatlands are drained to extract peat for various purposes such as horticulture or fuel. Waddington stated that draining a small percentage of a peatland and extracting peat can turn the entire system into a source. Restoring these peatlands could involve blocking ditches or building berms to keep the peat saturated. The study found that there was uncertainty in the cost estimates for protecting and restoring peatlands, but even at the high end, the research findings remained the same. Waddington described it as an easily achievable goal. Copyright 2020 The New York Times Company.

They estimate that despite the fact that the earth's soils currently contain 2.4 trillion tonnes of gases in the form of organic carbon, there is still capacity for more. Researchers from the US and Scotland published a study in Nature journal suggesting that by making some adjustments to agricultural methods, an additional 8 billion tonnes of carbon could be stored. Dave Reay, a geoscientist and expert in carbon management at Edinburgh University, emphasizes the importance of maximizing the potential of soils as a key ally in the fight against climate change. He highlights that soils are already significant carbon reservoirs, and by improving their management, their capacity can be further expanded. The availability of data on soil has been ignored for too long as a tool to address climate change. Issues with accurate measurement and reporting have hindered progress in climate-smart soil management. However, with the increase in big data on soils globally and advancements in understanding and modeling, the time is now for soil to become a major player in addressing climate change. Researchers have long recognized the significant role soils play, identifying factors that control soil carbon capacity and testing climate models to monitor soil emissions. The scientists have conducted experiments on ways to protect soil carbon and have consistently warned about the organic carbon stored in permafrost. They have also found a correlation between man-made greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of global agriculture thousands of years ago. According to their calculations, land use contributes to about a quarter of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions, with 10-14% coming directly from agriculture. However, they believe that better management of the Earth's soil, which holds three times more organic carbon than the atmosphere, could also help decrease emissions. The key is to preserve healthy ecosystems, as unmanaged forests and grasslands effectively store carbon. Wetlands lose soil carbon when drained for agriculture, but can regain it when restored. Sustainable agricultural practices can also help conserve carbon while still producing food. Farmers can grow crops with deeper roots, use charcoal-based composts, and implement more efficient practices suited to their specific crops and land. Tools like the 'Cool Farm Tool' can assist farmers in measuring and controlling emissions from their land. A variety of responses, including crop rotation, low tillage, land restoration, and agroforestry, could collectively make a significant impact on soil health. This "all-of-the-above" approach, supported by science, government policies, and innovative strategies, has the potential to help soils sequester a large portion of the emissions produced annually from burning fossil fuels, according to researchers.

A recent report by the UN's Environment Programme highlights the mounting challenges facing the world's desert ecosystems, including climate change, high water demand, and tourism. The Global Deserts Outlook emphasizes the economic benefits of deserts if managed properly, noting that they are not barren wastelands but rather biologically, economically, and culturally vibrant regions. The report calls for more sustainable management of water resources in desert areas, particularly in water-intensive agriculture. Desertification is the focus of World Environment Day this Monday, with ecologists planning to plant trees to combat erosion and give talks in schools. In Mauritius, a group plans to plant vegetation on dunes to protect beaches from erosion, while activists in Churchill, Australia, are collecting computer parts for recycling. In Zambia, a group hosts a "Miss Environment" beauty pageant, and in Vadodara, India, activists are promoting tree planting and sandcastle building in local schools to raise awareness about deserts and desertification. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that poverty, unsustainable land management, and climate change are turning drylands into deserts, which in turn exacerbates poverty. Despite many expected changes in the next 50 years, some may surprisingly have a positive impact. New economic opportunities like shrimp and fish farms are emerging in Arizona and the Negev Desert in Israel, providing environmentally friendly livelihoods for locals. Desert plants and animals are now being viewed as potential sources of new drugs and crops. Experts suggest that deserts could help combat global warming, with the Sahara alone having the potential to capture enough solar energy to power the world. However, many of the 12 desert regions studied are expected to become even drier in the future. The melting of glaciers that sustain deserts in South America is also causing problems. The influence of humans is still leading to challenges. In both the United States and the United Arab Emirates, an increasing number of individuals are opting to reside in desert cities, placing additional strain on limited water supplies. Mountainous regions within deserts are especially at risk, with their wildlife and ecosystems facing potential extinction within the next 50 years if immediate measures are not taken.

The WWF reported that approximately 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds, and 51 million frogs were affected by the country's devastating bushfires. The fires ravaged more than 11 million hectares of land in the Australian southeast, which is about half the size of the United Kingdom. WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman described it as one of the worst wildlife disasters in modern history. University of Sydney project leader Lily Van Eeden stated that this research was the first of its kind, providing valuable insights for other nations facing similar bushfire impacts. The overall number of animals affected by the destruction of habitats has increased, as they are now facing a lack of food and shelter or the need to move to habitats already occupied. Researchers attribute the rise in animal casualties to their assessment of the total affected area, rather than just focusing on the most impacted states. Australia experienced one of its worst bushfire seasons from September 2019 to March 2020, with 34 human fatalities and nearly 3,000 homes lost due to the unusually dry conditions caused by years of drought.

Begum's family, in a bid to protect their limited belongings, secured their lone suitcase to their home - a temporary shelter made of bamboo and banana leaves that was built following the previous destructive flood in the region two years ago. When the floodwaters surged, the house became surrounded by muddy water, forcing the family to prepare meals on a raised dry patch nearby. Then, a heartbreaking incident occurred when Begum left her one-year-old daughter, Lamia Khatun, on a slightly elevated area while she washed clothes in the floodwaters on Tuesday. Tragically, the waters continued to rise. Begum, 32, recounted how she returned home to find that the woman was no longer there, and her body was discovered hours later. The monsoon floods in southern Asia have impacted over 4 million individuals, resulting in destroyed homes, submerged villages, and the need for rescue missions. While the monsoon season is vital for the region's agricultural economy, recent years have seen an increase in cyclones and devastating floods causing displacement of millions, especially in Bangladesh. In the previous year, the United Nations reported that at least 600 individuals lost their lives and over 25 million were affected by flooding in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Nepal due to heavy monsoon rains. In 2017, over 1,000 individuals lost their lives due to flooding in South Asia. The regions experiencing the heaviest rainfall this year include northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, as reported by the Southeast Asia Flash Flood Forecast System. Bangladeshi officials have stated that the flooding began in late June and is expected to continue into the following month, affecting additional areas. Enamur Rahman, the Bangladeshi minister for disaster management, described the inundations as the worst in decades, resulting in hundreds of thousands of families being stranded and the opening of more than 1,000 emergency shelters. Rahman emphasized that every available resource is being utilized to combat this catastrophe. Researchers have warned that prolonged rains and floods are expected this year, with Bangladesh and India being severely affected. Bangladesh, with a population of over 160 million, may lose more than 10% of its land to sea-level rise due to a warming climate, potentially displacing 18 million people. In India, floods have devastated states like Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, resulting in at least 85 deaths and affecting over 3 million people. The Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to the vulnerable one-horned Indian rhinoceros, has been completely flooded. Officials have reported that over 50 animals have perished in the floods, but some wildlife has been saved. Rescue efforts are underway in 22 districts of Assam where more than a dozen rivers have overflowed. In Nepal, 67 individuals have lost their lives and 40 are still unaccounted for, as per the National Emergency Operation Center. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has also been hit hard by monsoons, a country with a population of 165 million that is frequently affected by flooding due to its low-lying and densely populated areas. In Jamalpur, located in the northern region of Bangladesh, the flood situation has reached a critical point as rivers are significantly above the danger level. Muneeb-ul-Islam, a 42-year-old resident of the area who lives with his wife and three children, shared that he has lost his home multiple times in the past decade, leaving him with only the clothes on his back. Along with his family, Muneeb-ul-Islam is part of over 1 million people in Bangladesh who have been displaced or left homeless due to the floods. Feeling as though they have done something wrong, he expressed the difficulty of having to rebuild their lives from scratch for the third time in recent years. Begum, who tragically lost her 1-year-old child, described how her life has been completely shattered by the disaster. She has relocated to a close shelter, which is a school building, where numerous people were packed in tightly. Concerns about the coronavirus spreading in such crowded conditions are significant. Begum's family expressed that there was not sufficient warning about the severity of the flooding. "I will never return to our previous home," she stated, "The water has taken everything from us."

Ocean scientists are calling for governments to invest billions of dollars by 2015 in a new monitoring system for the seas that can give alerts for various threats such as tsunamis and acidification related to climate change. The scientists believe that having better oversight would bring significant economic benefits by helping to understand the effects of issues like over-fishing and shifts in weather patterns. Oceans United, a scientific alliance, plans to present this request to governments meeting in Beijing to discuss a goal set at a 2002 U.N. Earth Summit. Jesse Ausubel, a founder of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO), emphasized the urgent need to measure and monitor the changing conditions of the world's oceans. POGO stated that establishing global ocean monitoring would require $10 billion to $15 billion initially, with an additional $5 billion in annual operating costs. Currently, an estimated $1 to $3 billion is being spent on monitoring the oceans. Tony Knap, director of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and a POGO leader, acknowledged that the new funding may seem excessive during a time of austerity, but emphasized that it could ultimately prevent greater losses. In the case of the Japan tsunami, officials believe that the $100 million system of subsea cables for monitoring earthquakes and tsunamis could prevent 7,500-10,000 out of a projected 25,000 fatalities in the event of a major subsea earthquake. Knap highlighted that while the cost of installing the cables may seem high, it is insignificant compared to the potential lives saved. New funding could be used to expand various ongoing projects, such as satellite monitoring of ocean temperatures, tagging marine animals like dolphins, salmon, and whales, and improving tsunami warning systems in certain countries. Ausubel, a vice-president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, compared these investments to the historical importance of lighthouses and aids for navigation. One concerning trend is the 30% increase in ocean acidity since 1800, largely attributed to rising carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuel combustion. This could potentially create challenges for creatures like lobsters, crabs, shellfish, corals, and plankton in constructing their protective shells, leading to repercussions for other marine organisms.

Sony Ericsson has appointed Bert Nordberg as the new chief executive to replace Dick Komiyama, who is retiring at the end of the year. Nordberg, who currently heads Ericsson's US technology division, has been tasked with leading the struggling cellphone maker back to profit and increasing its market share, which has fallen below 5 percent. Nordberg plans to focus on increasing market share, restoring profitability, ongoing restructuring, and developing successful products in the next one to two years. Nordberg, 53, who is currently the Executive Vice President at Ericsson and leads the firm's Silicon Valley business, expressed strong confidence in the support from both parent companies and believes that achieving profitability is not far off. Sony CEO Howard Stringer is set to take over as the new board chairman on October 15, replacing Ericsson head Carl-Henric Svanberg, who will assume the chairmanship at BP Plc in January. Analyst Neil Mawston from Strategy Analytics believes that these management changes indicate Sony and Ericsson are committed to working together, which will likely be reassuring news for Sony Ericsson's employees and customers. Among the top five cellphone vendors, Sony Ericsson experienced the steepest decline in sales compared to the first quarter. Research firm Gartner reported that Sony Ericsson has failed to keep up with mobile phone trends such as full keyboards, Internet browsing, and navigation, leading to a drop in market share to 4.7 percent globally. Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight, noted that the new CEO, Nordberg, faces important decisions in streamlining the company's software strategy and reducing reliance on mid-tier feature phones to improve profitability in a challenging economic climate. Sony Ericsson, known for its music and imaging phones, has struggled to compete in the smartphone market, prompting Nordberg to consider a strategic overhaul of the product portfolio. "In this business, you must have successful products," he stated. Nordberg has been employed at Ericsson since 1996, after previously working for companies such as Data General Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp. Sony Ericsson reported a pretax loss of 283 million euros ($400 million) in July and predicted a challenging remainder of the year, expecting the overall market to decrease by at least 10 percent. "I believe this is due to the need for a fresh start and new talent. Sony Ericsson has also not been performing well in the past year and a half," noted Greger Johansson from Redeye. Ericsson's shares were trading at 66.90 crowns, which was a decrease of 0.5 percent as of 1214 GMT (8:14 a.m. EDT). This outperformed the DJ Stoxx European technology index, which was down 1.7 percent.

The nation's space agency is set to achieve a significant milestone on Wednesday as Tianwen-1, the spacecraft launched by China in July, will attempt to orbit Mars. If successful, China plans to send a lander and robotic rover to the planet later this year. This would make China the third country, alongside NASA, to study the Martian surface with multiple spacecraft. China has announced that Tianwen-1 is expected to arrive at Mars on Wednesday. The China National Space Administration and state media have not released detailed information, as they typically keep their missions shrouded in secrecy. However, there has been some increased transparency in the past year, such as providing live video coverage of the Chang'e-4 mission's launch to the moon. Tianwen-1 was launched in July, strategically taking advantage of a time when Mars and Earth were closest in their orbits around the sun. This enables a quick journey between the two planets. The spacecraft has adjusted its trajectory by firing its engines multiple times to align itself with Mars. The latest engine firing happened on Feb 5, capturing images of Mars from 1.3 million miles away. On Wednesday, the spacecraft will use its engines again to slow down and be captured by Martian gravity, using up most of its remaining fuel in the process. There, the spacecraft will orbit Mars at a safe distance, along with other robotic explorers, as it prepares for a future attempt to land on the surface. There is always a risk of something going wrong, as history has shown with failed missions to Mars in the past, such as a Chinese mission in 2011 that never made it out of Earth's orbit due to a rocket failure. Some spacecraft have also encountered issues during the final stage of entering Martian orbit, like NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999, which burned up in the Martian atmosphere due to a navigation error caused by a failure to convert English units to metric. In 1992, NASA's Mars Observer spacecraft lost communication shortly before its scheduled arrival at Mars, possibly due to a fuel line issue. Similar mishaps have occurred in previous missions, such as the Soviet Mars 4 spacecraft in 1974. Despite the challenges of orbiting Mars, the ultimate goal is to successfully land on the planet. China's upcoming mission to Mars includes an orbiter with a lander and rover, which will navigate the challenging journey to the planet's surface. China has announced plans to land on Mars in May, with the target location being Utopia Planitia, a large basin in the northern hemisphere. This area was previously visited by NASA's Viking 2 lander in 1976 and is believed to have been impacted by a meteor. One objective of the Tianwen-1 mission is to study the distribution of ice in this region, which could be vital for future human colonization efforts on Mars. Landing on Mars is challenging due to the high speed descent of spacecraft and the thin atmosphere providing little assistance in slowing down the landing process. Air resistance continues to produce high temperatures that need to be managed. Several Soviet, NASA, and European missions have failed upon landing, with only NASA having successfully landed more than once. The Chinese spacecraft will spend a significant amount of time orbiting Mars to assess systems and select a safe landing spot. If it lands successfully, the rover will require a name. A panel of experts in China selected 10 semifinalists from nominations, including individuals named Hongyi, Qilin, and Nezha, who were described by state media. China has also recently achieved success in space with missions to Mars, the moon, and back. The Chang'e-5 mission, launched in November, collected lunar samples and returned them to Earth for study. It was the first new collection of moon rocks since the Soviet Union's last lunar mission in 1976. China's Chang'e-4 mission, which was the first to land on the far side of the moon, is still operational with its Yutu-2 rover exploring the lunar surface over two years after its launch. Another spacecraft arriving at Mars in 2021 is Hope, an orbiter from the United Arab Emirates' space agency, which will study the red planet's atmosphere to aid in understanding its weather patterns. Perseverance, NASA's newest rover, is the third spacecraft to visit Mars. It launched in July and will land directly on the planet's surface on Feb. 18, skipping Martian orbit. This rover, similar to Curiosity, will explore the Jezero crater and carry a different set of scientific instruments. Scientists hope to find fossilised evidence of extinct Martian microbial life in this dried-out lake. Additionally, the mission will attempt to fly a helicopter in the thin Martian atmosphere, a first for the red planet. After landing, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter will be deployed by the rover to conduct test flights in the thin Martian atmosphere, showing that Mars can be explored both in the air and on the ground. In addition to Ingenuity, there are currently six orbiters around Mars studying the planet from space. NASA sent three spacecraft to Mars: Mars Odyssey in 2001, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005, and MAVEN in 2013. Europe has two spacecraft in orbit, Mars Express launched in 2003 and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter in 2016. India operates the Mars Orbiter Mission, also known as Mangalyaan, which launched in 2013. Two American missions are currently operating on the ground. Curiosity has been exploring since 2012, while InSight has been researching marsquakes and other internal characteristics of Mars since 2018. Another American mission, the Opportunity rover, ceased operation in 2019 due to a dust storm draining its power.

Scientists reported that a significant portion of Antarctica's Wilkins Ice Shelf is collapsing in a rapidly warming area of the continent, as shown by satellite images. The collapse affected an area of about 160 square miles, according to data from the University of Colorado's National Snow and Ice Data Center. The Wilkins Ice Shelf, a large expanse of floating ice covering around 5,000 square miles, is situated on the southwest Antarctic Peninsula, approximately 1,000 miles south of South America. Ted Scambos, the lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, described the event as blocks of ice breaking apart and falling into the ocean, rather than just cracking off and drifting away. These rare events are not frequently observed, but it is important to study them in order to gain a better understanding as they can result in the complete disintegration of the ice shelf," Scambos explained. According to Scambos, a significant portion of the ice shelf is currently being held up by a thin strip of ice. If this final "ice buttress" were to collapse, approximately half of the total ice shelf area could be lost within the next few years, Scambos stated. British Antarctic Survey scientist David Vaughan warned in a statement that "This shelf is hanging by a thread." According to Scambos, a section of the ice shelf that faces the ocean has started to break apart in a way that has been observed in a few locations over the past decade or so. In each case, it has been determined that this is due to climate change. The collapse began on Feb. 28 with a large iceberg breaking off, leading to further disintegration of the shelf. A plane was sent to capture photos of the shelf as it was falling apart. Scambos explained that while the ice shelf has been in place for centuries, rising temperatures and contact with ocean waves are contributing to its breakup. Over the last 50 years, the Antarctic Peninsula has experienced rapid warming, comparable to any other location on Earth, according to researchers. The increase in greenhouse gases is believed to be the main cause of this warming, affecting the atmospheric circulation around Antarctica. While the summer melt season in Antarctica is ending, experts do not anticipate immediate disintegration of the ice shelf. However, they will closely monitor any further deterioration that may occur in January.

An Australian report released on Tuesday stated that global warming is progressing at a faster rate than previously anticipated due to increased greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) reported that emissions from burning fossil fuels have been rising by approximately 3 percent annually since 2000, compared to 1 percent per year in the 1990s. According to CSIRO scientist Mike Raupach, the accelerated growth in emissions is primarily due to the fact that more carbon is being burned for each unit of wealth generated globally. This has led to climate change occurring more rapidly than predicted in earlier studies. Raupach collaborated with an international team of experts to analyze global carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption under the Global Carbon Project initiated by CSIRO. The report discovered that in 2005, nearly 8 billion metric tons of carbon were released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide globally, compared to only 6 billion metric tons in 1995. According to Raupach, as countries progress through industrial development, they go through a phase of heavy and often inefficient use of fossil fuels. While efficiencies improve during this progression, they eventually reach a plateau. Developed countries like Australia and the US have reached this plateau, while developing countries like China are still in the intensive development phase. Since the industrial revolution began, the US and Europe have been responsible for more than half of global emissions over the past two centuries, while China's contribution is less than 8 percent, as stated in the CSIRO report. The report stated that the 50 least-developed nations only contributed less than 0.5 percent of global emissions over a span of 200 years. On average, individuals in Australia and the United States now emit over 5 tons of carbon per year, compared to 1 ton per year in China. Raupach mentioned that understanding the historical context of carbon emissions is crucial in addressing the urgency of reducing emissions. He emphasized the importance of considering both current and past emissions trajectories in negotiating global reductions, ensuring that reductions are both feasible and fair. The CSIRO report discovered that Australia has one of the highest per capita emissions in the world, primarily because of its heavy use of fossil-fuel generated electricity and reliance on cars and trucks for transportation. Raupach stated that there is a need for significant reductions in emissions to achieve CO2 stabilization, as Australia's energy efficiency improvements have not kept pace with other developed countries. Similarly to the United States, Australia has not signed the Kyoto Protocol due to concerns about its effectiveness and has called for a global alternative to replace it. Both countries believe the Kyoto Protocol is flawed because it does not hold major developing nations like India and China to binding emission targets in the initial phase ending in 2012. China is the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally, following the United States. Talks are not yet fully underway regarding the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol, as India and China are firmly against mandatory targets and are pushing for wealthy nations, particularly the United States, to make significant cuts in emissions.

Scientists have determined that the fish bones found from the day a 6-mile-wide asteroid hit Earth belonged to fish that died in the spring. This event marked the end of the reign of dinosaurs. The asteroid collision occurred over 66 million years ago near the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, leading to the mass extinction of three-quarters of Earth's plant and animal species. In 2019, palaeontologists discovered a mass graveyard in southwestern North Dakota containing creatures that died shortly after the impact. Although North Dakota was located approximately 2,000 miles away from where the meteor struck, the seismic waves caused by the impact, equivalent to a magnitude 10 or 11 earthquake, resulted in water being sloshed out of lakes and rivers, leading to the death of fish. Additionally, tektites, which are small glass beads propelled into the air by the impact, fell from the sky. Researchers spent years investigating the site, known as Tanis, located in the fossil-rich Hell Creek formation spanning four states. While an article in The New Yorker hailed Tanis as a treasure trove of fossil discoveries, the initial scientific paper about the site was more focused on the geological context. The new scientific findings have now allowed for insights into the cataclysm that were previously unattainable. "It's incredible that we can identify an event that occurred 66 million years ago down to a specific time of the year," remarked Stephen L Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not part of the study. He described it as a top-notch detective story. Animals in the Northern Hemisphere, such as those waking from hibernation or giving birth, may have been more at risk of extinction. Meanwhile, animals in the Southern Hemisphere, preparing for autumn, may have been better protected from the sudden climate change. According to During, being able to hibernate could have increased an animal's chances of survival. Brusatte agreed that if one could isolate themselves in a burrow or seek shelter underwater, it could potentially help in understanding the extinction patterns and processes. During first learned about Tanis in 2017 during a talk by Jan Smit, an expert on dinosaur extinction at Vrije University in Amsterdam, while she was pursuing her master's degree. She was fascinated by the North Dakota fossil discoveries and immediately reached out to Smit to inquire about conducting isotopic analysis on the fish bones found. She contacted Robert DePalma, the paleontologist leading the investigation at Tanis. In August 2017, During traveled to North Dakota and spent ten days at Tanis excavating fossils of six fish - three sturgeon and three paddlefish. In the lab, researchers took thin slices of bone from the lower jaws of the paddlefish and the pectoral fin spines of the sturgeon. They observed alternating light and dark lines indicating seasonal growth patterns, similar to tree rings. The outermost part of the bones showed that the fish became more active and grew faster after winter. During suggested that the fish perished in April, ruling out summer based on the levels of carbon isotopes in the bones. Jeroen van der Lubbe, a paleo-climatologist at Vrije University and co-author of the Nature paper, also pointed to other evidence indicating that the fish died in the spring. Tektites were discovered in the fish's gills, but not in the digestive tract. "They were unable to swim any further," During explained. "They died right away." Another group of researchers, headed by DePalma, conducted a comparable analysis on fish fossils and published nearly identical findings in Scientific Reports last December. ©2022 The New York Times Company.

Bird enthusiasts are amazed at the increasing number of snowy owls migrating from the Arctic to the lower 48 states this winter. Thousands of these large white birds have been observed across the country, from Idaho to Massachusetts, in locations such as farmlands, rooftops, golf courses, and shorelines. This mass migration, described as "unbelievable" by a leading owl researcher, is a rare occurrence, as snowy owls typically only venture south in small numbers during the winter. Denver Holt, who has studied snowy owls for twenty years, has called this event the most significant wildlife occurrence in decades. Holt and other experts on owls believe that the unusual behavior of snowy owls migrating farther south than usual is likely due to an abundance of lemmings, a small rodent that makes up the majority of their diet during breeding season. Last year, there was a significant increase in the owl population due to a plentiful supply of lemmings, resulting in breeding pairs hatching up to seven offspring compared to the usual two. With more owls competing for food in the Far North, younger male owls may have been forced to migrate south in search of food. The lack of research on snowy owls is due to the challenging conditions of the remote areas they inhabit in northern Russia and Scandinavia. The increase in snowy owl sightings has attracted birdwatchers from Texas, Arizona, and Utah to the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest, boosting local economies and overcrowding parks and wildlife areas. The sudden appearance of snowy owls has sparked widespread public interest among people of all ages and backgrounds. However, reports of undernourished owls in some locations indicate that the migration also has negative consequences. Holt mentioned that an owl that arrived at an airport in Hawaii in November was deliberately killed to prevent accidents with airplanes. He also noted that the population of snowy owls is thought to be decreasing, possibly due to changes in climate affecting the availability of vegetation like grasses which lemmings depend on. The recent increase in snowy owl sightings, reaching as far south as Oklahoma, is still not fully understood. Holt stated that there is much speculation but little concrete evidence to explain this phenomenon.

An ancient underground water basin the size of Libya is crucial for Australia to avoid a water crisis caused by climate change. Australia's Great Artesian Basin, covering 1.7 million sq km and lying beneath one-fifth of the country, holds 65 million gigalitres of water - about 820 times the amount of surface water in Australia. This basin, slowly replenished with 1 million megalitres of rainwater filtering through porous sandstone rock each year, could potentially meet Australia's water needs for 1,500 years if fully utilized. John Hillier, a hydrogeologist who recently completed the Great Artesian Basin Resource Study, emphasizes the vast water resources stored underground. However, he and other experts caution that the basin's water supply is at risk due to declining artesian pressure, which results in water being brought to the surface through bores and springs. If the artesian pressure drops too low, primarily because of excessive water extraction, the ancient water source will become inaccessible without expensive pumping. Some parts of the basin are as deep as two km underground, with certain areas reaching depths of 3 km from top to bottom. The basin, formed between 100 and 250 million years ago, is composed of layers of water-bearing sandstone aquifers and non-water-bearing siltstones and mudstones. Water from the basin is extracted through bores and is the sole source of water for mining, tourism, and grazing in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. The Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee states that the underground water from the basin contributes A$3.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) annually to farming, mining, and tourism. The mining and petroleum industry utilizes 31,000 megalitres of water from the basin each year for production purposes. BHP-Billiton, a major mining company, uses 11,680 megalitres annually from the basin for its operations at the Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, with plans to increase water usage in the future. Xstrata Plc, a Swiss-based miner, is considering using water from the basin for a large coal mine in Queensland that would produce 20 million tonnes annually for 30 years. The pastoral industry is the largest consumer of water in Australia, using 500,000 megalitres annually to irrigate some of the country's most productive farmlands. Angus Emmott, who owns a cattle property in central Queensland, depends on basin water during droughts. He believes that the bores are crucial for the social and economic value of the region, which previously lacked permanent fresh water. With the increasing impact of climate change, there is a growing reliance on the Great Artesian Basin, making it important to use the water efficiently and avoid wastage. Since its inception in 1878, an estimated 87 million megalitres of water has been extracted from the basin, with up to 90 percent of it being wasted. Due to a decrease in water pressure, over 1,000 natural springs have disappeared and one-third of the original artesian bores no longer flow. The extraction of ancient basin water contributes to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by releasing 330,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. A 15-year project called the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability project, which began in 1990, aims to protect the water supply and hydraulic pressure needed to access it. Currently, around 3,000 bores continue to pour water into 34,000 km of open bore drains, with 90 percent of the water evaporating due to the outback heat. However, more than 1,052 bores have been controlled, and many kilometers of open drains have been removed and replaced with pipelines, saving 272 gigalitres of water each year. Farmers are now using technology to control livestock access to bores and manage bore flows, leading to improved land management and pasture quality. According to Emmott, this new approach has resulted in previously dried-up bores starting to flow again. The capping and piping program has also helped prevent issues such as bogging of domestic animals, drainage maintenance costs, and soil salination. Farmers and scientists emphasize the importance of sustainable water usage to prevent a future water crisis in the Great Artesian Basin due to increased demand. Emmott emphasized the importance of taking care of communities to ensure their existence, noting that the Great Artesian Basin requires careful management as it takes a long time to recharge. A long-term sustainability report on the Basin, costing A$17 million, will focus on ensuring water availability for future mining, pastoral, and environmental development. With the increase in mining activity in the region due to the global commodities boom, authorities are anticipating a rise in extraction by the mining industry. Andy Love from Flinders University in Adelaide will lead a study on how to meet the increased demand for groundwater allocations for economic development in the area. Love stated that it is important to find a balance between development and environmental protection, but this cannot be accomplished without a better understanding of how much groundwater can be extracted safely.

Since 1500, over 320 terrestrial vertebrates have gone extinct and the remaining species have experienced a 25 percent average decline in population. Invertebrate animal life is also facing a crisis, with human activity being the primary cause of what researchers are calling 'Anthropocene defaunation'. Large animals like elephants and polar bears are at the highest risk of decline, with rodents and disease-carrying ectoparasites thriving in areas with high human population density. In the past 35 years, the human population has doubled while invertebrate animal populations have decreased by 45 percent, primarily due to habitat loss and climate change. These losses could have far-reaching effects on human health and well-being. Dirzo proposed that it would be beneficial to promptly decrease rates of habitat change and overexploitation, but these strategies should be customized to specific regions and circumstances. He emphasized that extinction is not just about the disappearance of a species, but also the loss of crucial ecosystem functions that animals contribute to. This study was published in the journal Science.

In 2010, Musa Ibrahim made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi to plant the national flag on the peak of Mount Everest. Bangladeshi scientists also achieved a milestone by sequencing the jute genome. However, the year was overshadowed by negative events such as a drop in Dhaka stocks and allegations of fund siphoning against Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The top ten news stories of the year, according to bdnews24.com, included the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Musa Ibrahim on May 23rd, which was a source of great pride and joy for Bangladeshis. The president of the North Alpine Club, Musa, is a graduate of both Dhaka University and BRAC University, and he is originally from Lalmonirhat. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in parliament on June 16 that researchers from Bangladesh, specifically from Dhaka University's biochemistry and biotechnology departments led by Dr. Maqsudul Alam, have successfully sequenced the genome of jute. This development is expected to enhance the quality of jute fiber, helping it withstand adverse weather conditions caused by climate change. Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of misappropriating funds from Grameen Bank and attempting to cover up the issue from Norwegian donors. On November 30, the Norwegian state television NRK broadcasted a documentary called 'Caught in Micro Debt' by Danish investigative journalist Tom Heinemann. This documentary brought to light the fund transfer issue 12 years after it occurred. The story was first reported in Bangladesh by bdnews24.com on December 1. Yunus called upon the media on Sunday to address the controversy surrounding the 'channelled fund'. Grameen Bank, on the other hand, claimed that the issue had already been resolved by the Norwegian government and the bank in 1998. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other leaders of the ruling party criticized the Grameen Bank chief and called for investigations. The MV Jahan Moni, a Bangladeshi ship, was recently hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea near the Indian coast of Kochin. There are 26 Bangladeshis, including 25 crew members, on board the ship, which has been taken to the Somali coast. The government is being urged to negotiate with the pirates by paying ransom. Relatives of the crew who have been taken captive are calling for urgent government intervention to secure their release. Foreign minister Dipu Moni stated to the press two weeks ago that no country should negotiate ransom payments. The ship's owner has reported ongoing negotiations with Somali pirates. In contrast, Somali pirates recently released a German ship after receiving a $5.5 million ransom, which had been captured in May. Stalking incidents resulting in violence and death have been making headlines in newspapers recently. The issue gained attention after the death of Mizanur Rahman, a college teacher from Natore, who was run over by a stalker in October. Following this, Chanpa Rani Bhowmik was killed for protesting against harassment in Faridpur, and Rupali Rani of Sirajganj took her own life after being kidnapped by an eve-teaser. In response to these incidents, the government, prompted by the High Court, amended laws to allow for stalkers to be tried in mobile courts, which began operating in early November. The country's financial market was thrown into chaos at the end of the year due to a sudden drop in share prices. People's interest in investing in the stock market had increased as several exchange records were broken. However, investors pushed share prices up until the general index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange plummeted in the second week of December, losing over 500 points in just one hour. Frustrated and angry investors took to the streets twice in the last month as the market showed signs of decline, protesting and causing damage to property. On December 8 and 19, investors clashed with police as the market experienced a record fall in a single hour and the highest fall in a single day. The nation recently adopted its first comprehensive education policy in history. The National Education Policy was approved by the cabinet on May 31 and by parliament on Dec 7. Despite protests from some Islamic parties claiming a decrease in religious education opportunities, the government refutes these claims and is focused on implementing the policy. The new policy includes extending primary education to class VIII and eliminating the Secondary School Certificate exam. The policy aims to update textbooks, revise exam systems, and modernize madrasa education. Anthrax caused panic in the middle of the year, affecting at least 500 people in various districts. The government issued a red alert and conducted large-scale cattle testing nationwide, including in border areas where foreign cattle enter. The demand for cattle meat dropped suddenly, leading the government to declare the country anthrax-free in early October. Butchers claimed that poultry traders purposely caused panic to make profits. Livestock state minister Abdul Latif Biswas supported this claim and announced that the government would look into the issue. The national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, came to a standstill on Oct 26 due to a strike called by pilots. The strike, led by younger pilots, was ended after a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Oct 29, saving the airline from potential closure. Biman suspended four pilots, including the acting president and general secretary of the pilots' association BAPA, on Oct 25. BAPA made the decision to go on strike immediately in response to a decision they were protesting. That same evening, 53 pilots called in sick. On October 20, the 116-member BAPA group issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Biman, demanding that their 5-point request be met, which included cancelling the order to raise the retirement age of pilots from 57 to 62 years. The pilots also warned that they would not fulfill any duties beyond their contractual obligations with Biman if their demands were not addressed.

A study has identified inflation, particularly in food prices, and climate change as the main challenges facing Bangladesh in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The 'Social Watch Report 2010' also highlighted debt servicing, poor revenue collection, and a decrease in foreign direct investment as additional obstacles. The report was launched by the Dhaka-based research arm Unnayan Shumunnay, which revealed that Bangladesh has remained stagnant at 61 in its Basic Capabilities Index (BCI) over the past decade, with concerns regarding child mortality, maternal health, and education. In comparison, Pakistan has shown significant progress, moving from 55 to 65 in 2000. Nepal and India have made progress in their rankings, while Sri Lanka leads the region with a score of 99. The report highlights that MDGs are still seen as political goals, as global defense spending is significantly higher than aid to developing nations. To reach MDGs worldwide by 2015, an estimated $100-120 billion annually would be needed, which is less than 0.5 percent of global GDP according to a Social Watch study. Another study cited in the report suggests Bangladesh would require $7.5 billion in annual aid, five times more than current levels, to achieve MDGs. The report also addresses climate change, noting that Bangladesh, despite being a minor polluter, is heavily impacted by climate change. The report states that the country's greenhouse gas emissions make up less than 0.2% of the global total. Social Watch predicts that climate change will pose ongoing challenges for the country's efforts to increase economic growth and reduce poverty at the anticipated rate.

Researchers are equipping elephant seals and self-propelled water gliders with monitoring devices in order to uncover the mysteries of the oceans and enhance our understanding of the effects of climate change. Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing heat and redistributing it across the planet. They also serve as a significant carbon dioxide sink, helping to slow down the rate of climate change. However, scientists emphasize the need to expand a global monitoring network, with the Southern Ocean between Australia and Antarctica being particularly important. This region is a major absorber of carbon emissions and a key driver of the Earth's climate. "To comprehend the pace at which climate change is occurring, it is essential to grasp the workings of ocean processes, such as their ability to trap heat and carbon quickly," stated Susan Wijffels, an oceanographer and leader of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). Speaking to Reuters from a climate conference in Hobart, Tasmania, Wijffels emphasized that the ocean's actions directly impact the speed and regional patterns of climate change. In addition, scientists aim to enhance their understanding of natural ocean cycles that influence terrestrial weather, in order to enhance long-term forecasts for agriculture and urban water management. Through collaboration with researchers from Australian universities, as well as institutions in the United States, Asia, and Europe, IMOS is working to gather data from around Antarctica by equipping approximately 100 elephant seals with monitoring devices, thanks to a recent increase in funding. A small device with an antenna is attached to seals' heads to collect data on temperature, salinity, and pressure while they dive for food. Additionally, self-propelled gliders, measuring about 2 meters in length, will be used in the waters around Australia at depths of up to 1,500 meters to gather information. These gliders, equipped with wings and a rudder, can remain at sea for extended periods and are operated remotely. The focus is on the sea ice near Antarctica, where current measurement devices, known as Argos, struggle to function efficiently as they must surface frequently to transmit data to satellites. Argos are cylinders that can descend to depths of up to 2 km. Thousands of devices have been sent out all over the world. There are new types of Argos being created that can detect breaks in the sea ice in order to transmit their findings. According to Wijffels, the oceans beneath the ice are a part of the observing systems that are often overlooked. It is believed that the ocean is transferring heat into the sea ice zone, which may be contributing to the destabilization of the large ice shelves in Greenland and Antarctica. Experts warn that if all the ice in Greenland were to melt, sea levels could rise by 7 meters (23 feet). Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are causing oceans to become more acidic, which is impacting the ability of sea creatures to produce shells. There are concerns that this increased acidity could hinder the oceans' capacity to absorb carbon. The initiative also seeks to enhance the monitoring of significant currents in Australia that distribute heat globally, such as those passing through the Lombok Strait near Bali in Indonesia, using deep-ocean moorings. While measurements in the North Atlantic are more frequent, there is still a significant gap in data collection in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Wijffels.

"Because penguins are fish eaters, the absence of the umami taste is particularly perplexing," said study leader Jianzhi "George" Zhang, professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology. Penguins typically eat fish, so one would assume that they would possess the umami receptor genes; however, they do not. Zhang stated that these findings are surprising and puzzling, with no clear explanation. He believes that the sensory changes may be linked to ancient climate cooling events in Antarctica where penguins originated. The leading theory is that the genes were lost due to cold Antarctic temperatures affecting taste perception. Previous genetic studies have shown that birds do not have the sweet taste receptor gene. In this study, Zhang and colleagues examined Adelie and emperor penguins, as well as other closely related bird species, and found that penguins lack functional genes for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes. The umami and bitter taste receptor genes in Adelie and emperor penguins have become "pseudogenes," meaning they resemble a gene but cannot encode proteins. Non-penguin birds, on the other hand, have genes for umami and bitter tastes but lack receptors for sweet taste. The researchers concluded that penguins lost umami and bitter tastes in their common ancestor, which likely occurred during a 37-million-year period that included dramatic climate cooling in Antarctica. The study will be published in the journal Current Biology.

It is all by chance, and there will be some chaos. NASA has chosen SpaceX, the rocket company founded by Elon Musk, to send astronauts back to the moon in the future. However, in the meantime, a 4-ton upper stage of a SpaceX rocket launched seven years ago is expected to crash into the moon on March 4. Amateur astronomers have made recent observations and calculations predicting the impact to occur at 7:25 am Eastern time. While there is still some uncertainty about the exact time and location of the impact, Bill Gray, creator of Project Pluto, a set of astronomical software, believes the rocket piece will not miss the moon. Gray stated that it is highly likely that the predicted impact will occur within a few minutes and a few kilometers of the expected time and location. Throughout the Space Age, various man-made objects have ventured into the solar system, with some not anticipated to return. One example is Musk's Tesla Roadster, launched into orbit passing Mars during SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket's inaugural flight in 2018. However, occasionally these objects circle back, as was the case in 2020 when a recently discovered unidentified object was identified as part of a rocket launched in 1966 during NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon. Gray has been monitoring this specific piece of SpaceX debris, which played a role in launching the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on February 11, 2015. The observatory, also known as DSCOVR, was originally intended for Earth observation under the name Triana, championed by Al Gore. However, it was repurposed for detecting solar storms and now regularly captures images of Earth from space. The upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket is typically pushed back into Earth's atmosphere to prevent space clutter. The upper stage of the rocket used all of its propellant to send DSCOVR to its far-off destination, leaving it in a highly elevated orbit around Earth that intersects with the moon's orbit. This situation raises concerns about a potential collision in the future. The motion of the Falcon 9 stage, which is now uncontrolled, is influenced by the gravitational forces of Earth, the moon, and the sun, as well as pressure from sunlight. While debris in low-Earth orbit is closely monitored due to the threat it poses to satellites and the International Space Station, objects like the DSCOVR rocket in more distant orbits are often overlooked. Gray claims to be the only person tracking these objects. While many spacecraft have previously crashed on the moon, this seems to be the first instance of an object from Earth unintentionally ending up there. On January 5, a rocket stage came within 6,000 miles of the moon, and its trajectory appeared to potentially intersect with the moon later on. Gray asked amateur astronomers to monitor the object as it passed by Earth in January, and one of those who responded was Peter Birtwhistle, a retired IT professional living near London. Birtwhistle used his 16-inch telescope at the Great Shefford Observatory to track a rocket stage in the sky, noting its fast movement. The observations enabled scientists to predict where the rocket stage would impact, giving astronomers a final opportunity to observe before it goes beyond the moon's orbit and hits the far side, out of view from Earth. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will not witness the impact live, but it will later fly over the expected impact location to capture images of the newly formed crater. Mark Robinson, a professor at Arizona State University and the principal investigator for the Orbiter's camera, estimates that the impact of 4 tons of metal traveling at 5,700 mph will create a crater measuring 10 to 20 meters wide. This event will allow scientists to study the lunar surface beneath and have precise details about the impact, unlike meteor strikes. India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, also orbiting the moon, may also be able to photograph the impact site. Other spacecraft that are on their way to the moon this year may have the opportunity to see the impact site, unless they too accidentally create new craters.

Suzanne Becker, the general manager of the Henry Howard Hotel, expressed disappointment that the delta variant had affected their business in August. However, there was a positive outlook as guests were expected to fill almost all rooms for the first time in weeks. Other hotels were also fully booked at increased rates for holiday weekends. The cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in October due to rising coronavirus cases resulted in many reservations being canceled. Hotels were eagerly anticipating Labor Day in New Orleans, as it was a popular holiday in the city. Robert LeBlanc, owner of the boutique hotel Chloe in the Garden District, mentioned that his hotel was fully booked and had a high number of restaurant reservations for large parties. The French Quarter was expected to be bustling with visitors for Southern Decadence, also known as "gay Mardi Gras." Beaux Church, manager of three gay bars in the French Quarter, had scheduled twice as many bartenders as usual for the busy weekend. Despite having enough staff, he was confident that they would leave with a lot of tips. He believed that the weekend would have been a chance for them to recover financially from the losses they suffered during COVID-19. This would have helped them catch up on rent and pay off extra credit card debt. However, Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana on Sunday, causing damage and power outages in New Orleans before moving on to the Northeast. As a result, Church's bartenders had to evacuate to other cities, leaving the Henry Howard Hotel and many other hotels empty. Southern Decadence has been canceled once again. Even Cafe Lafitte in Exile, a gay bar known for being open 24 hours a day, had to close due to a lack of electricity, air conditioning, and a margarita machine following Hurricane Katrina. With many still without power and surrounding areas assessing the damage, New Orleans' tourism industry, a significant economic driver, is facing challenges once again. Some fear that Ida may discourage visitors from returning long-term, similar to the impact Hurricane Katrina had in 2005 when tourist numbers dropped significantly. It wasn't until 2010 that the number of visitors returned to pre-Katrina levels. Kelly Schulz, a spokesperson for New Orleans & Company, the official marketing organization for the city's tourism industry, emphasized that Hurricane Katrina did not have the same impact on New Orleans as it did on other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. She noted that the city's tourist infrastructure was largely undamaged, and she hoped tourists would come back once power is restored. Some may argue that the city is better off without large crowds, given the high numbers of COVID patients and low vaccination rates in Louisiana. Researchers have linked the explosive outbreak of coronavirus in the city to Mardi Gras in February 2020. Restaurant owners, hotel managers, and event planners believe that they could have accommodated visitors if given the chance, despite the city's strict requirements for proof of vaccination or a recent coronavirus test and masks. Visitors were supportive of the rules as they allowed for events to proceed safely, according to Amanda Price, an event planner in New Orleans. Labor Day weekend typically is not a popular time for weddings in New Orleans due to hurricane season, but this year many couples were determined to reschedule weddings that were previously canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Cayla Contardi, a resident of Austin, Texas, expressed how busy she has been recently. She is one of Price's clients who was looking forward to having a do-over for her wedding. September 4th was her third wedding date after originally planning to get married in Tucson, Arizona, on June 20, 2020. Despite the challenges, she felt confident in proceeding with her 120-person event in a ballroom in the French Quarter as all her guests had either recovered from COVID or were fully vaccinated. On Saturday afternoon, Contardi was devastated to find out that her husband's family, who reside in New Orleans and in St Tammany Parish approximately 50 miles north of the city, were evacuating their homes. Despite the hotel informing her on Monday that her guests could no longer stay there due to significant damage, she found it difficult to come to terms with the cancellation of her wedding. "I have a beautiful dress that I've owned for three years," she stated. She has no intention of planning another wedding. Even before COVID, Labor Day had been a busy weekend for restaurants in New Orleans, as noted by Nina Compton, the chef behind Compère Lapin in the Warehouse Arts District and Bywater American Bistro in the Bywater neighborhood. She mentioned that usually many people visit the town for a big celebration before school begins, but this year she was expecting a busy week. However, when she saw the storm approaching, she realized that things would not go as planned. She found it difficult to accept that despite people in the state facing hardships, restaurants were having to waste a lot of good food. She explained that it was not possible to donate food to those in need because they did not have the means to cook it. This was her sentiment as she finished cleaning out the walk-in fridge at Compère Lapin. She had found a buyer for the produce, but the milk and fresh pasta were going to be thrown away. James Doucette, the general manager of Meals From The Heart Cafe, expressed his sadness about the waste in an email, stating that the storm was just another challenge they had to overcome. Alon Shaya, the founder of Pomegranate Hospitality, echoed this sentiment, noting that the hurricane would not only impact weekend tourists but also deter longer term visitors from coming to the restaurants. Students had recently come back to Tulane University, which was beneficial for his restaurant, Saba, located approximately a mile away. However, the university has now decided to delay classes for at least another month. This feeling of sudden change is familiar to the hospitality industry in New Orleans. At the beginning of the pandemic, business was so slow that almost half of the city's restaurants and one-third of its hotels shut down indefinitely. But with more people getting vaccinated and choosing to visit New Orleans again, optimism has increased. During the spring, business for Church, who oversees a diner and three gay bars in the French Quarter, exceeded its previous high from 2018. However, the arrival of the delta variant caused Bourbon Street to become empty, with his bars going from earning $10,000 a night to only $1,000 practically overnight. Church believes that tourists stopped coming once his staff started enforcing rules for vaccination proof and masks, rules he supports. Despite this, he was looking forward to an influx of visitors for the Southern Decadence festival, as the requirements were clearly communicated. Edgar Chase IV, also known as Dooky, who manages two Dooky Chase restaurants, described the experience as a roller coaster ride. Original Text: It should have been a big weekend for his team. Instead they’ve all had to evacuate. In these moments, it’s not money that concerns him, he said. It’s “how can we get people some type of comfort?” In his mind that should be the real focus of the hospitality industry now. Paraphrased Text: His team was expecting a successful weekend, but they were forced to evacuate instead. During times like these, he explained that his main concern is not money, but rather providing some form of comfort to people. He believes that this should be the primary focus of the hospitality industry at present.

Deforestation has long been recognized for its ability to raise temperatures in local regions, but a recent study published on Tuesday reveals a potentially broader influence on monsoon rains. In addition to releasing carbon dioxide into the air, deforestation alters the amount of light reflected by the Earth's surface and the moisture in the atmosphere due to plant transpiration. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore utilized a model that simulated atmospheric circulation, as well as processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, ocean surface warming, and ice melt. The authors aimed to gain a fundamental understanding of how large-scale deforestation in various locations affects monsoon rainfall. They conducted three deforestation experiments by removing all trees in tropical, temperate, and high-latitude regions to assess the impacts. Deforestation in temperate and high latitudes has altered atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to a shift in monsoon rains towards the south. This has resulted in decreased precipitation in northern hemisphere monsoon regions like East Asia, North America, North Africa, and South Asia, while southern hemisphere monsoon regions such as South Africa, South America, and Australia have seen modest increases in rainfall. The study suggests that deforestation in mid- and high-latitudes can have a greater impact on tropical rainfall than local deforestation. The South Asian monsoon region, particularly India, would experience the most significant decline in precipitation, with an 18 percent decrease. The authors emphasize the importance of considering remote impacts, such as changes in rainfall, when evaluating the climate benefits of reforestation efforts. The research observed that the amount of land dedicated to growing crops and raising livestock has grown on a global scale from 620 million hectares in the 1700s, which accounted for approximately 7 percent of the Earth's land area, to 4,690 million hectares by the year 2000, representing around one-third of the world's total land area.

The Qatar 2022 supreme committee stated that they had always planned to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup in the summer, but are open to hosting in the winter if necessary. They are prepared to host the tournament in either season and their planning will not be affected. FIFA President Sepp Blatter mentioned that any change in timing would need to be requested by Qatar. The organizers intend to use air-conditioned stadiums that will be dismantled and sent to developing nations after the competition. Qatar has invested significant resources to demonstrate that the cooling technology will work in open-air stadiums and training grounds, and they will continue to develop the systems regardless. Their commitment to this project is based on the legacy it will provide for Qatar and countries with similar climates. The technology will allow sports to be played throughout the entire year, not just in stadiums or sports venues, but also in public spaces, ensuring outdoor activities can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

Pictures captured by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft show signs that there may be liquid water on the surface of Mars, which is an exciting discovery for scientists who are curious about the possibility of life on the Red Planet. The spacecraft's orbit allowed scientists to observe alterations in the walls of two craters in the southern hemisphere of Mars, which appear to have been caused by water flowing downhill in recent years. This finding has sparked further speculation about the potential existence of life on Mars, as water is essential for all known forms of life on Earth. Scientists have previously confirmed that there is water on Mars in the form of ice at the poles and water vapor. They have also identified geological features that seem to have been shaped by water in the past. Kenneth Edgett from Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, who was part of the research team, mentioned that scientists have been searching for definitive proof of liquid water currently existing on Mars. Edgett described their findings as evidence of water currently present on Mars. The researchers, whose study is published in the journal Science, compared images of Mars taken seven years apart and discovered 20 new impact craters caused by space debris. They observed evidence of water flowing down two gullies in recent years, despite the challenges of liquid water surviving on Mars due to its cold and thin atmosphere. It appeared to suggest that underground liquid water might be close enough to the surface in certain areas to occasionally seep out. The images did not directly show water but indicated bright deposits left by material carried downhill inside the crater by running water. These deposits sometimes snaked around obstacles and left finger-shaped marks diverting from the main flow. Edgett mentioned that the water could be acidic, briny, or carry various sediments, but water (H2O) is definitely involved. Each apparent flow was caused by an amount equal to "five to 10 swimming pools of water," according to Edgett. Michael Meyer, the head scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, stated that the recent observations have provided the most compelling evidence so far that water still flows intermittently on the surface of Mars. He raised questions about how this phenomenon occurs and whether it indicates a potential habitat for life. Scientists believe that Mars may have supported primitive life forms in the past, as it is the only planet in our solar system besides Earth with a relatively hospitable climate. Previous missions have discovered evidence that Mars once had significant amounts of water. The scientists admitted that the images were not definitive proof, only suggesting evidence. They mentioned the possibility of dry dust causing the features instead. The researchers raised questions about the water source and quantity, and its potential use in future Mars missions. They discovered the gullies in 2000, but this was the first time they observed newly deposited material carried by liquid water. NASA recently lost contact with the Mars Global Surveyor after a mission dedicated to mapping Mars' surface, monitoring its weather, and looking for signs of water.

Two new reports warn that the increasing demand for food, fuel, and wood due to the world's population growth from six to nine billion will place unsustainable pressure on the world's remaining forests. This could lead to a significant rise in deforestation, contributing to global warming and creating conflicts with indigenous forest communities. Andy White, co-author of one of the reports, stated that without action, traditional forest owners and the forests themselves will suffer, resulting in more deforestation, conflict, carbon emissions, climate change, and decreased prosperity for all. RRI is a worldwide alliance of environmental and conservation non-governmental organizations that focuses on forest protection and management as well as the rights of forest peoples. According to White's report, a significant increase in agricultural productivity is needed to meet the food and biofuel demand by 2030, requiring an area of land equivalent to 12 Germanys to be cultivated. This land is expected to be primarily in developing countries, much of which is currently forested. The second report, "From Exclusion to Ownership", highlighted that governments in developing countries still claim ownership of most forests but have not taken sufficient steps to ensure the rights and tenure of forest dwellers. The report emphasized that those whose livelihoods depend on the forests are often the most effective guardians of the forests and their biodiversity. RRI stated that governments were not successful in preventing industrial encroachment on indigenous territories. The report highlighted the expansion of soy and sugar cane cultivation for biofuels in Brazil, which is projected to increase to 128 million hectares by 2020 from the current 28 million hectares, largely through deforestation in the Amazon. Ghanaian civil rights lawyer Kyeretwie Opoku expressed concerns about the lack of democracy, violent conflicts, and human rights violations outlined in the report. He emphasized the importance of addressing inequality by involving forest communities in decision-making processes related to industry and conservation.

First, it must embark on a scavenger hunt in the Australian outback. This weekend, fragments of an asteroid will touch down in a desolate area near Woomera, South Australia. These pieces are being transported to Earth by Hayabusa2, a robotic space probe sent into space by Japan's space agency, JAXA, in 2014 to study an asteroid called Ryugu. This asteroid is a dark, carbon-rich rock that is slightly over half a mile wide. The success of this mission and the scientific discoveries it yields will enhance Japan's reputation as a key player in deep space exploration, alongside NASA, the European Space Agency, and Russia. Additionally, JAXA currently has a spacecraft orbiting Venus to study its harsh climate and is working with European partners on a mission to Mercury. In the near future, Japan is planning to retrieve rocks from Phobos, a moon of Mars, and support NASA's Artemis program to send astronauts to the moon. The main challenge at the moment is locating a small capsule containing asteroid samples in the dark, amidst a vast area 280 miles north of Adelaide. Shogo Tachibana, the lead investigator overseeing the analysis of the Hayabusa2 samples, described the location as remote and isolated, with over 70 Japanese team members currently in Woomera for the capsule recovery mission. The area, previously used by the Australian military for testing, offers a spacious and ideal environment for the return of the interplanetary probe. The return capsule detached from the main spacecraft 12 hours prior to its scheduled landing, approximately 125,000 miles away from Earth. JAXA will be live broadcasting the capsule's landing starting at 11:30 am Eastern time on Saturday (pre-dawn hours on Sunday in Australia), with the capsule expected to touch down shortly before noon. Mission manager Makoto Yoshikawa mentioned in an interview that there is a margin of error of about 10 kilometers (6 miles) in predicting the capsule's reentry point into the atmosphere. Once the capsule reaches an altitude of 6 miles, it will deploy a parachute, and its drift during descent will further contribute to the uncertainty. Yoshikawa explained that the location of the landing site will be determined by the wind conditions on the day of reentry. The search area could potentially span up to 60 miles. The recovery team will be aided in their search by following the trail of superheated air created by the reentering capsule and using the capsule's radio beacon. However, if the beacon or parachute fails, the task will become significantly more challenging. Time is also of the essence in this situation. The team's goal is to retrieve the capsule, conduct an initial analysis, and transport it back to Japan within 100 hours. Despite being sealed, there is concern that Earth's air may gradually seep in. Tachibana mentioned that perfect sealing is impossible. Once located, a helicopter will transport the capsule to a laboratory at the Australian air force base in Woomera. At the laboratory, an instrument will remove any gases that may have been released by the asteroid rocks during reentry. Yoshikawa mentioned that the scientists are interested in finding any helium particles from solar wind that may have impacted the asteroid and are now trapped in the rocks. These gases will confirm that Hayabusa2 effectively gathered samples from Ryugu. A minimum of 0.1 grams is required to confirm success, but it is hoped that the spacecraft has brought back several grams of samples. The Hayabusa2 team in Japan will now start analyzing the samples from Ryugu. In around a year, some of the samples will be shared with other scientists for further study after being collected by Hayabusa2, which arrived at the asteroid in June 2018. The spacecraft conducted a series of investigations of increasing technical difficulty, including dropping probes onto Ryugu's surface, creating a hole in the asteroid to examine its interior, and making two trips to collect small pieces of the asteroid. This task was more difficult than anticipated due to the numerous boulders on the asteroid's surface. Masaki Fujimoto, deputy director general of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, noted that small celestial bodies like Ryugu were once overlooked by planetary scientists focused on studying planets. He stated that minor bodies may not seem important, but they are crucial for understanding the formation of planetary systems. By studying water trapped in minerals from Ryugu, scientists could determine if Earth's oceans were formed from asteroids and if carbon-based molecules played a role in seeding life's building blocks. NASA will receive part of the Ryugu samples, as they are also collecting rocks and soil from the asteroid Bennu with the OSIRIS-Rex mission. The OSIRIS-Rex space probe has been studying Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid, and will return to Earth next spring to deliver its samples in September 2023. Despite similarities in appearance, Ryugu and Bennu have distinct characteristics. The rocks on Ryugu seem to have less water compared to other rocks. The significance of these similarities and differences will only be understood after further detailed study by scientists. Harold Connolly, a geology professor at Rowan University in New Jersey and the mission sample scientist for OSIRIS-Rex, mentioned that lessons learned from the Hayabusa2 mission will be helpful when the OSIRIS-Rex sample returns. He finds the similarities and differences intriguing and plans to participate in analyzing the Ryugu samples in Japan next summer. Hayabusa2 is not Japan's inaugural planetary mission. The name of the mission, Hayabusa2, is a reference to an earlier mission called Hayabusa that successfully brought back samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Other Japanese missions, such as Akatsuki orbiting Venus and a mission to Mars, have faced technical challenges, but Hayabusa2 has been largely successful despite sharing a similar design with its predecessor. Yoshikawa, the mission manager, stated that there are no major issues with the mission, just some minor ones. He mentioned that the team carefully analyzed the failures of Hayabusa and made necessary changes, as well as conducted numerous rehearsals to prepare for any potential challenges. Japanese missions typically have smaller budgets than NASA's, resulting in fewer instruments being carried. The cost of Hayabusa2 is under $300 million, while OSIRIS-Rex's cost is around $1 billion. Delivering the Ryugu samples is not the conclusion of the Hayabusa2 mission. After detaching the return capsule, the main spacecraft altered its course to avoid a potential collision with Earth, narrowly missing by a distance of 125 miles. The spacecraft will now head towards another asteroid, a small one called 1998 KY26, which measures only 100 feet in diameter and spins rapidly, completing a rotation in less than 11 minutes. To reach KY26, Hayabusa2 will utilize two flybys of Earth before reaching its destination in 2031. Along the way, the spacecraft will conduct various astronomical experiments during its extended journey through deep space. Additionally, the spacecraft still contains one last projectile that it may use to test the surface of the asteroid.

A group of seven researchers has warned of the urgent need for action to prevent irreversible environmental changes that could pose a threat to civilization. They published their findings in the journal Nature ahead of the COP25 climate change summit in Madrid, stating that the Earth is in a 'state of planetary emergency'. The scientists explain that reaching a global tipping point could result in catastrophic conditions, such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest and accelerated melting of ice sheets. They emphasize the importance of acting quickly to prevent reaching this point, as the time for intervention may be running out. The team, led by Timothy Lenton, professor of climate change and Earth system science at the University of Exeter, identified nine areas where tipping points are already occurring. A file photo shows a boat and a bicycle on the dried lake Poopo in the Oruro Department, Bolivia, affected by climate change on Dec 16, 2017. These tipping points include the destruction of the Amazon, reduction of Arctic sea ice, coral reef die-offs, melting of ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica, thawing of permafrost, destabilization of boreal forests, and a slowdown of ocean circulation. The scientists believe that these events are interconnected and changes in one area will impact another, leading to a worsening 'cascade' of crises. The study found that regional warming is causing Arctic permafrost to thaw, releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. This has led to insect disturbances and fires in North American boreal forests, potentially changing some regions from a carbon sink to a carbon source. Researchers suggest that the climate is more sensitive than previously thought and a global tipping point may be possible. Last year's research looked at various regime shifts in physical climate and ecological systems. The text suggests that surpassing tipping points in one system can heighten the likelihood of surpassing them in others. The concept of a climate tipping point has been around for 20 years, introduced by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. At that time, the UN proposed that significant disruptions would only occur if global warming reached 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Climate scientists have stated that data from the two most recent IPCC reports, published in 2018 and September 2019, indicate that tipping points could occur with a temperature increase of between 1 degree Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius. Currently, global average temperatures are approximately 1 degree Celsius higher than they were in the pre-industrial era and are still increasing.

The yen reached a historic low against the euro and remained close to a four-year low against the dollar on Friday due to expectations of low Japanese rates. Oil prices stayed high around $61 per barrel. Despite Germany's Ifo business sentiment survey showing a larger than expected decline in February, the euro only slightly weakened against the dollar. The survey did not change predictions of an upcoming increase in euro zone interest rates. Japanese exporters benefitted from the weakened yen, boosting the Nikkei average to a seven-year high, while European stocks were affected by concerns over Iran's nuclear program and weakness in banking stocks. The euro briefly hit a record high of 159.63 yen before dropping back to around 159.25 yen, with traders anticipating a break of the 160-yen mark. The dollar traded around 121.40 yen after reaching 121.63 yen for the second consecutive day, approaching the highest level since December 2002. The recent increase of 25 basis points in Japanese interest rates to 0.5 percent, the highest in a decade, has not stopped the yen from weakening against major currencies. Even with this increase, Japanese rates are still lower than in other developed countries. Ronnie Steadman of Lloyds TSB Financial Markets stated that the higher rates in Japan will not deter Japanese investors, especially households, from buying foreign bonds and stocks for better returns. Investors have also taken significant short positions on the yen in carry trades, borrowing yen to invest in higher-yielding assets elsewhere. The New Zealand dollar reached a 14-month high against the yen on Thursday. Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated that rate increases will be gradual. Germany's Ifo research institute reported a decrease in the business climate index to 107.0 in February from 107.9 in the previous month. Analysts still anticipate a European Central Bank rate increase to 3.75 percent in March. The euro was slightly down at $1.311 at 1015 GMT. Euro zone bonds initially dropped but rebounded after the Ifo report, with yields on the benchmark 10-year Bund decreasing by 3.2 basis points to 4.066 percent. Oil prices rose above $61 per barrel to a seven-week high due to a significant decline in US gasoline stocks and concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program. US crude reached $61.40 per barrel, up by 45 cents. It reached $61.49, the highest level since January 2, after Iran's announcement of not showing weakness regarding its nuclear program. Iran failed to meet the Feb. 21 deadline set by the UN nuclear watchdog to suspend uranium enrichment. European shares declined due to concerns about Iran and weakness in banking stocks, despite strong results from industrials and higher commodity prices. The FTSEurofirst 300 index was down 0.16 percent, with slight decreases in British and French indexes and minimal changes in Germany's. Japan's Nikkei increased by 0.44 percent to a seven-year high, driven by gains in exporters like Canon Inc benefiting from the weak yen. The increase in the MSCI All-Country World Index was offset by a significant decrease of up to 29 percent in Sanyo Electric Co. This drop was attributed to the company being investigated by regulators and failing to report over $1 billion in losses, as reported by a newspaper.

According to an annual study, global carbon emissions increased significantly in 2007, with developing countries like China and India now responsible for more than half of the world's carbon dioxide output. The report by the Global Carbon Project revealed that carbon dioxide emissions have been growing at a much faster rate since 2000 compared to the 1990s, despite efforts to reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. The main cause of the increase in emissions is the burning of fossil fuels. India is on track to surpass Russia as the third-largest emitter of CO2 in the world. The executive director of the Global Carbon Project, Pep Canadell, noted that for the first time, developing countries are now contributing more to global emissions than developed nations. He informed Reuters that China has now become the top emitter, with China alone contributing to 60 percent of emission growth. The United States was the second largest emitter. The International Council for Science, representing all national academies of science, supports the project. Professor Barry Brook from the University of Adelaide in Australia warned of "DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES" due to the rapid increase in emissions, suggesting that the world could warm faster than previously anticipated. He also stated that CO2 concentrations could reach 450 ppm by 2030 instead of the current prediction of 2040. Currently, the level of CO2 emissions is slightly above 380 ppm. However, reaching 450 ppm of CO2 will lead to a 2 degrees Celsius increase in global warming and the subsequent catastrophic consequences. The Global Carbon Project, established in 2001, studies changes in the earth's carbon cycle caused by human and natural emissions and how carbon is absorbed by sinks like oceans and forests. The project analyzes data from CO2 samples collected worldwide and national emissions data reported to the United Nations. Canadell notes the significant increase in emissions between 2000 and 2007, calling it unprecedented and occurring despite international efforts to combat climate change. Currently, only 37 wealthy nations are bound by the Kyoto Protocol, the primary global agreement aimed at addressing global warming, to reduce emissions starting in 2008. However, the initial phase of Kyoto will end in 2012 and does not require developing countries to limit their emissions. The United Nations is leading discussions to extend Kyoto beyond 2013 and develop a strategy that will involve all countries in committing to reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report has called attention to the rising levels of atmospheric CO2, which reached 383 parts per million in 2007, marking a 37 percent increase since the industrial revolution and the highest level in the past 650,000 years. The report also noted that the annual growth rate of atmospheric CO2 was 2.2 ppm in 2007, up from 1.8 ppm in 2006. Professor Matthew England, joint director of the University of New South Wales Climate Change Research Centre, described the recent data on increasing carbon dioxide emissions as a significant alert for industry, business, and politicians. Canadell expressed the belief that the credit crisis would likely reduce emissions growth, acknowledging the potential impact of the economic downturn. However, he noted that unless major countries like China, India, Russia, and Japan experience similar struggles as the United States, any decline in emissions would be minimal.

This year, scientists are emphasizing the importance of focusing on methane as a potent greenhouse gas in order to prevent catastrophic global warming. A report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released Monday urges countries to reduce methane emissions quickly and significantly, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions. This plea may be concerning for countries that have been turning to natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal, and could present challenges for countries with significant agriculture and livestock industries, particularly cattle. Despite both methane and CO2 contributing to warming the atmosphere, they are not equal in their impact. According to the report reviewer Durwood Zaelke, a single CO2 molecule may cause less warming than a methane molecule, but CO2 remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years while methane disappears within two decades. Zaelke emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions, stating that cutting methane is the most effective and quickest strategy for slowing down global warming. The current global temperature is already 1.1C higher than the preindustrial average due to emissions dating back to the mid-1800s, which is why there is a focus on reducing methane emissions now. The report suggests that without pollution reflecting some of the sun's radiation back into space, the world would have experienced an additional 0.5C of warming. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and addresses air pollution, the aerosols causing this reflection will disappear, potentially causing temperatures to rise. The quick reduction of methane emissions could help counteract this effect and improve air quality, according to Maisa Rojas Corradi, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile and author of the IPCC report summary. Methane emissions are responsible for around 30% of global warming since the pre-industrial era, as stated by the United Nations. The role of methane, aerosols, and other short-lived climate pollutants had not been previously discussed by the IPCC. Jane Lubchenco, deputy director for climate and environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, highlighted the immediate advantages of significant decreases in methane levels, not only in terms of atmospheric concentration but also in the positive impacts on human health due to improved air quality. Recent technological advancements and research indicate that methane emissions from various sources such as oil and gas production, landfills, and livestock may have been underestimated. Mark Brownstein, senior vice president of energy at Environmental Defense Fund, emphasized the importance of incorporating aggressive methane reduction plans into climate strategies for countries that produce and consume oil and gas. While addressing landfill and energy company emissions may be more feasible, tackling large-scale agricultural methane emissions poses a greater challenge as adequate replacement technology is not yet available. This year, the EU is proposing laws that will require oil and gas companies to monitor and report methane emissions, as well as fix any leaks. The United States is expected to introduce methane regulations by September that are tougher than those implemented under the Obama administration and later repealed by former President Donald Trump. Together, the US and the EU make up over a third of global natural gas consumption. Countries like Brazil and Russia, which lack strict regulations on oil and gas production and agriculture, are likely significant methane emitters according to IPCC co-author Paulo Artaxo, an environmental physicist at the University of Sao Paulo. Artaxo noted that quantifying methane leakage from gas and oil wells is a challenging task. If nations do not actively search for it, they will not discover it. Various environmental organizations and government leaders are advocating for a worldwide agreement on methane, similar to the Montreal Protocol which addressed ozone depletion. This agreement could initially focus on methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, as they already possess the necessary technology to reduce these emissions, according to Armond Cohen, executive director of the Clean Air Task Force, a climate technology group based in Boston. Cohen stated that controlling methane emissions is not a complex task and does not require advanced technology. "So let's begin from that point."

The massive structures proposed by scientists would enclose the North Sea and provide protection for millions of Europeans at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. The urgency of the crisis is emphasized by the scale of the project, which is estimated to cost between $250 billion and $550 billion. Some experts question the feasibility of damming the North Sea, suggesting that building defenses along the coastline might be more practical. The scientists behind the proposal admit that it is not the ideal solution, but hope it serves as a wake-up call for global leaders to take action on climate change. They stress the importance of reducing CO2 emissions to avoid the need for extreme measures like damming the North Sea. Failure to address climate change could result in millions of people becoming climate refugees due to rising sea levels. Even in the present day, coastal cities like San Francisco and Manila are dealing with the effects of sea level rise. A recent proposal to construct massive barriers connecting Norway to Scotland and France to England serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis. These structures, if built, would enclose the North Sea and provide protection for millions of Europeans at risk from rising sea levels. A report from Climate Central warns that by 2050, around 150 million people in low-lying coastal areas could face the threat of being submerged by high tides. These proposed dams would be much larger than existing barriers, such as the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands and the Saemangeum Seawall in South Korea. The construction of such dams would have significant ecological and economic impacts, but as sea levels continue to rise, the options for protecting coastal cities become increasingly limited. When discussing the potential for a significant rise in sea levels, he emphasized that finding solutions is not a simple task. A recent proposal to construct massive barriers connecting various countries in Europe was considered a response to the pressing issue of climate change and the need to protect millions of people from the threat of rising waters.

According to US researchers, the United States may act as a breeding ground for certain flu strains, allowing them to move to warmer regions. Previous assumptions suggested that flu strains mainly originated in China and Southeast Asia. However, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Florida State University discovered that some flu strains in North America do not disappear at the end of flu season. Instead, some of these strains travel to South America and possibly even further. This phenomenon may have occurred during the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. Trevor Bedford of the University of Michigan conducted a study on the migration network of influenza A, finding that China and Southeast Asia are key players, but temperate regions, including the USA, also have a significant impact. The study, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens, analyzed genetic sequences of seasonal flu viruses worldwide from 1998 to 2009 to create a family tree of virus relationships. The findings suggest that public health officials may need to adjust their strategies for fighting the flu, as aggressive use of antiviral drugs like Tamiflu could lead to drug resistance if flu strains persist in the United States. Bedford stated that South America primarily gets its flu strains from North America, suggesting that a tailored vaccine could be created using strains from North America. The team also mentioned that the research could improve tracking of flu strains globally, revealing that flu can originate from temperate regions in addition to Southeast Asia. This highlights the need for more comprehensive global surveillance. The initial instances of H1N1 swine flu were identified in the United States. The exact source of the swine flu is still unknown, but genetic research indicates that it likely originated from pigs and had been spreading for several years prior to being identified.

According to a recent wire service report, scientists in Washington have discovered strong evidence connecting the warming of the ocean over the past 40 years to the release of carbon dioxide from industrial activities. Researchers in the US compared the increase in ocean temperatures with climate model predictions and concluded that human activity is the most likely cause. They expect that this warming trend will significantly affect regional water supplies in the future. The study's findings were presented at a prominent science conference in Washington DC. The team examined various factors, such as natural climate variability, solar radiation, and volcanic emissions, but found that none of these factors could fully explain the observed oceanic warming. Dr Barnett stated that greenhouse warming was what really stood out. The model accurately replicated the temperature changes in the oceans with a 95% statistical confidence, providing convincing evidence - according to the researchers - that human activities are causing global warming. The team warns that regional water supplies will be greatly impacted by climate change in the near future. In areas such as the South American Andes and western China, millions of people could face water shortages in the summer due to the rapid melting of glaciers. Dr Barnett explained that if the snow pack melts too early and societies are not prepared to capture the water, they will experience water shortages during the summer months. A Scripps researcher stated that political leadership is essential to prevent a global disaster. The researcher emphasized the importance of addressing global warming-related issues worldwide and suggested that identifying the problems is the first step towards finding solutions.

It was previously reported that Elon Musk's SpaceX would be responsible for creating a crater on the lunar surface, but it is now believed that a piece of a rocket launched by China's space agency is the likely cause. Bill Gray, the developer of Project Pluto, announced last month that the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was on a trajectory to intersect with the moon's path. This rocket had launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in February 2015. Gray had been monitoring this rocket part for years, and in early January, it came within 6,000 miles of the moon's surface, causing the moon's gravity to alter its path towards a potential crash on a subsequent orbit. Reports from amateur astronomers who witnessed the object passing Earth once again confirmed the imminent collision within Hertzsprung, a large crater measuring 315 miles in diameter. However, a communication received on Saturday from Jon Giorgini, an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, provided a different perspective. Giorgini oversees Horizons, an online database capable of generating orbits and locations for nearly 1.2 million objects within the solar system, including approximately 200 spacecraft. When a user inquired about the likelihood of the object being associated with the DSCOVR rocket, Giorgini decided to investigate further. He discovered that the orbit didn't match the path DSCOVR took, so he reached out to Gray. Gray initially believed he was correct, but he reviewed his old emails to recall when the object was first seen in March 2015, shortly after the launch of DSCOVR. Typically, new objects seen in the sky are asteroids, and this object was also assumed to be one. It was labeled WE0913A. However, it was discovered that WE0913A was actually in orbit around Earth, not the sun, making it more likely to have originated from Earth. Gray suggested that it could be a part of the rocket that launched DSCOVR. Additional data showed that WE0913A passed by the moon two days after DSCOVR was launched, further supporting this theory. Gray now understands that he was mistaken in assuming DSCOVR was launched on a trajectory toward the moon, using its gravity to propel the spacecraft to its final destination 1 million miles from Earth where it monitors solar storms. Giorgini clarified that DSCOVR was actually launched on a direct path that did not involve passing by the moon. Gray expressed regret for not reviewing the information before making his January announcement, acknowledging that he had made a mistake. SpaceX did not comment on the situation, but it is likely that they were not monitoring the rocket stage in question as it is typically burned up in the atmosphere. The rocket needed all of its propellant to deliver DSCOVR to its destination. However, the unpowered and uncontrolled second stage of the rocket was in an orbit that posed no threat to satellites, and likely went unnoticed by most people. Gray expressed a desire for transparency from companies launching boosters into high orbits, so that he wouldn't have to search for information on his own. Gray then investigated other recent launches, particularly those headed towards the moon, but found very few in that category. The leading candidate for the mission was a Long March 3C rocket that launched China's Chang'e-5 T1 spacecraft on October 23, 2014. The spacecraft circled the moon before returning to Earth, releasing a small return capsule that landed in Mongolia. This test was a precursor to the successful Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, which collected moon rocks and dust for study on Earth. By running a computer simulation of the orbit of WE0913A, it was determined that it would have passed close to the moon on October 28, just five days after the Chinese launch. Additionally, data from a cubesat attached to the rocket's third stage closely matched that of WE0913A. The case is strong enough to bring to a jury for a conviction, according to recent observations that have slightly adjusted the predicted time and location of impact on the moon. Christophe Demeautis, an amateur astronomer in northeast France, believes it is still the same object. There is no chance of it missing the moon, with the crash expected to occur at 7:26 am Eastern time. However, the impact will be on the far side of the moon, out of view of Earth's telescopes and satellites. The whereabouts of the Falcon 9 part, specifically the DSCOVR second stage, are still being investigated. It is most likely that the object ended up circling the sun instead of the Earth, and it may still be in orbit. This would make it currently out of sight. There have been instances of old rocket pieces reappearing, such as in 2020 when a mystery object was found to be from a rocket launched in 1966 for NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon.

A recent study released by the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in collaboration with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has found that oceans are becoming more acidic at a rate 100 times faster than any change seen in the marine environment over the past 20 million years. This rapid acidification leaves little time for biological systems to adapt, according to Maruf Mallick, environment correspondent for bdnews24.com. The study, presented at the Bella Convention Centre in Copenhagen, where climate talks are currently taking place, highlights the fact that oceans absorb about one quarter of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from human activities. Without this absorption, atmospheric CO2 levels would be much higher, leading to more severe consequences of global climate change. The absorption of atmospheric CO2 has led to changes in the chemical balance of the oceans, making them more acidic. It is estimated that by 2050, ocean acidity could rise by 150 percent. Ocean acidification is irreversible on timescales of thousands of years, and urgent reductions in global CO2 emissions are necessary to prevent significant damage to ocean ecosystems. Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the convention, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue in the global climate change debate in Copenhagen. A study by the CBD highlights the severe ecological consequences of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity, based on analysis of over 300 scientific sources. The study reveals that as ocean acidification continues to rise, it is projected that approximately 70 percent of cold water corals, which serve as crucial habitats and food sources for commercial fish species, will be at risk of being in contact with acidic waters by the year 2100.

A NASA survey has identified around 1,000 asteroids that are large enough to cause catastrophic damage if they were to collide with Earth. This survey, known as Spaceguard, was mandated by Congress in 1998 to locate 90 percent of objects near Earth that are 1 km or larger in diameter. Astronomer Amy Mainzer announced at a conference in San Francisco that the survey is now 93 percent complete, with the use of NASA's WISE telescope. In addition to the larger asteroids, scientists also discovered approximately 20,500 smaller asteroids near Earth, which is fewer than previous estimates of 36,000 to 100,000 of these objects. Mainzer told Reuters that while the likelihood of an impact event is low, asteroids still have the potential to cause significant damage. A major asteroid strike has occurred in the past, with an asteroid or comet believed to have caused the extinction of dinosaurs and other species 65 million years ago. Mainzer highlighted the devastation that a large asteroid could cause, emphasizing the importance of monitoring potentially hazardous objects. Scientists are currently utilizing archived WISE observations to identify objects that may pose a threat to Earth if their orbits bring them within 4.6 million miles of our planet. As of now, there is no established plan for how to respond if an asteroid is found to be heading towards Earth.

On Tuesday, the planet Venus crossed in front of the sun in a slow transit, marking the last time this event will be visible from Earth for 105 years. Transits of Venus occur in pairs eight years apart, separated by over a century. During this recent transit, Venus appeared as a small black dot moving slowly across the northern part of the sun. Many people watched the event online through various websites that provided live video feeds from different locations. Close-up images from the Prescott Observatory in Arizona, featured on Slooh.com's webcast, captured a small solar flare forming just below Venus. Tuesday's transit started at 6:09 p.m. EDT (2209 GMT) and marked the completion of a pair that occurred between 2004 and 2012. People from seven continents, including Antarctica, were able to witness the event, and even astronauts on the International Space Station were able to view it. Don Pettit, a flight engineer on the space station, had been preparing for this event and brought a solar filter with him in anticipation of the transit of Venus occurring during his rotation. It's not just about beautiful images. Multiple scientific experiments were scheduled, including research that could aid in the discovery of potentially habitable planets outside of our solar system. Telescopes like NASA's Kepler space telescope are being utilized to identify extrasolar planets that transit in front of their host stars, similar to Venus passing in front of the sun. During the Venus transit, astronomers intended to analyze the planet's dense atmosphere in order to develop methods for studying atmospheres of other planets. Research on Venus's atmosphere could also provide insight into the differences between Earth and Venus, despite their similar size and orbital distance from the sun. Venus has a very thick atmosphere, which is mostly carbon dioxide, and its surface temperature is extremely hot. The planet experiences acid rain from sulfuric acid clouds moving at high speeds. Despite being known as the goddess of love, Venus is not a place you would want to visit. Scientists are studying Venus to gain insight into changes in Earth's atmosphere. In past transits of Venus, scientists determined the size of the solar system and the distance between the sun and planets. This upcoming transit on Tuesday will be the eighth since the telescope was invented and the last until December 10-11, 2117. It will also be the first transit with a spacecraft at Venus, allowing for observations to be compared with data from various telescopes, including NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the US-European Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, and Japan's Hinode spacecraft.

Each resilient type of seed becomes a crucial component in a strong seed system that supports agriculture, which is the basis of a resilient food system. The unpredictable seed-catalogue season of 2020 demonstrated the importance of resilience for both seed company employees and customers. Lessons learned from the chaos of last year's record-breaking sales can help prepare for the 2021 gardening season, which is starting this month with the release of new catalogues. The sudden increase in sales, up to 300%, following the national emergency declaration on March 13, caught many by surprise. Joshua D'errico, marketing coordinator for Johnny's Selected Seeds, noted the unprecedented number of orders received when staff returned to the office after the emergency declaration. "We initially believed it was just a temporary issue, but it turned out to be more serious than we anticipated," explained Heron Breen, a research and development manager at Fedco Seeds, a company that has been serving Northeastern gardeners since 1978. Breen mentioned that they received a warning from colleagues at other companies about the increase in demand. The larger companies were the first to be overwhelmed, leading to a ripple effect that affected smaller companies like theirs. As a result, fulfilment operations were strained, and many suppliers had to temporarily suspend sales in order to catch up. The demand for catalogues and online growing advice also saw a significant increase. Despite these challenges, sellers of all sizes want to reassure home gardeners that they are well stocked and there are no major seed shortages beyond what is typical in farming, where crop failures can occur in any given year. It may seem contradictory to those who saw many website product pages with "out of stock" labels last spring. However, this was not typically due to a lack of seed available, but rather a shortage of staff to pack the seeds into packets in time to meet the increased demand, according to Andrea Tursini, the chief marketing officer of High Mowing Organic Seeds. Additionally, this surge in demand occurred towards the end of their usual peak season, when they are not typically packing a high volume of seeds. On top of this, seed companies faced the challenge of hiring and operating safely within pandemic guidelines, as well as dealing with employee burnout. As a result, seed companies have had to work extra hours and forego summer breaks to improve and strengthen their systems. Before diving into their catalogues, home gardeners should take the time to refine their procedures. It is important to shop wisely and carefully study the catalogues rather than just making purchases. Having a variety of seed catalogues, whether in print or online, allows for a wider selection of options as each catalogue has its own unique specialties. They are enjoyable to read and offer valuable information. By carefully reading variety descriptions, one can learn about the different traits that a single crop can have. For example, some broccoli varieties produce one large head while others, like Piracicaba, have smaller florets that grow over several weeks. Catalogs not only provide information on when and how to sow seeds, but also offer insights on which varieties are better suited for hot summer weather. This information can help you plan and plant your crops at the right time, resulting in continuous harvests of lettuce for salads. Seed companies now offer educational support through digital resources, such as Johnny's Grower's Library, which has seen a significant increase in visits this year according to D'errico. Do not give in to impulsive purchases when shopping for seeds and planning your garden. It is wise to start the seed-shopping and garden-planning season by checking leftover seeds stored in a cool, dry cupboard. Take inventory to avoid buying duplicates and wasting money. It is beneficial to occasionally try new plants, but make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules of succession planting before placing orders. Looking to improve your personal seed security? Consider purchasing open-pollinated varieties instead of hybrids, as hybrids may not produce accurate seeds. Save the seeds for the upcoming year and be prepared to adjust, much like a seed. Despite thorough planning, it is impossible for a company to predict factors such as the return of last year's gardeners or an increase in new customers for the following year. One constant amidst the uncertainty was the stability of at least one element from 2019 to 2020, according to D'errico. Johnny's Selected Seeds found that the top 12 crops sold to home gardeners remained consistent, with only slight changes in order. Among the top four crops - zinnias, bush beans, heirloom tomatoes, and hot peppers - the order did not change at all. However, it is important for sellers and buyers to be adaptable. Tursini from High Mowing Organic Seeds recommended being flexible and trying different varieties if a specific seed is sold out, as you may discover one that you prefer. "Order early, but don't panic," advised one expert, a sentiment also shared by Breen of Fedco Seeds. Breen emphasized the importance of planning your garden rather than focusing on a survivalist mindset. Many of the companies listed in the article are farm-based and grow their own seeds. In addition to well-known companies like Johnny's Selected Seeds, Fedco Seeds, and High Mowing Organic Seeds, smaller Northeastern companies such as Hudson Valley Seed, Turtle Tree Seed, and Fruition Seeds are also recommended. Prairie Road Organic Seed, based in North Dakota, offers cold-adapted beans and tomatoes. The Pacific Northwest has a great climate for seed farming in the United States, leading to the establishment of several exceptional companies such as Adaptive Seeds, Siskiyou Seeds, Uprising Seeds, and Wild Garden Seed. For those looking for heat-adapted seeds for Southern gardens or those wanting to try new crops like okra and greasy beans, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Sow True Seed are recommended. Other companies catering to challenging growing conditions include Redwood Seed Co. in Northern California, High Desert Seed and Gardens in high-altitude Colorado, Native Seed/SEARCH in arid Arizona, and Snake River Seed Cooperative in Idaho. Seed Savers Exchange, based in Iowa, is a national resource known for its mission of preserving heirloom varieties. Certain items in its inventory were acquired from Glenn Drowns, who is associated with Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa. The process of ordering is through traditional mail instead of online shopping, however, the variety of products available is extensive. © 2020 New York Times News Service.

Scientists have reported that bacteria consumed almost all of the methane that was released from BP's broken wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico last year. Around 200,000 tons of methane were released, with most of it being absorbed by bacteria in the deep waters of the Gulf before reaching the atmosphere. This process led to a loss of about 1 million tons of dissolved oxygen in certain areas, although it did not cause a widespread low-oxygen condition. The study, published in Science, addresses the importance of understanding what happens to methane, as it is a potent greenhouse gas. Similar to carbon dioxide, methane is produced by both natural and human activities, such as the petroleum industry. Following the BP blowout in 2010, methane was not being consumed in and around the wellhead for two months, causing concerns among scientists that it could accumulate in the water and eventually reach the atmosphere, potentially contributing to climate change by trapping heat. Research has shown that large methane releases, whether natural or human-induced, can have a significant impact on the climate. Scientists are interested in investigating the role of bacteria in consuming methane in such cases. The BP spill provided a unique opportunity to observe how specific bacteria thrived on a diet of methane as it spread through the underwater plume from the broken well. Peak methane consumption likely occurred in late July and early August. Other organisms were responsible for breaking down different hydrocarbons like ethane and propane during the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. Initially, scientists doubted whether the methane-eating bacteria would be able to effectively consume the methane due to previous observations indicating slow consumption rates. The scientists suggested that the bacteria's ability to consume a significant amount of methane could mean they are capable of absorbing other major releases of deep ocean methane. Last month, the US government filed a civil suit against BP and its partners for the damage caused by the spill. The White House commission investigating the oil spill stated on Wednesday that BP and its partners' cost-cutting decisions played a role in causing the spill.

A group of scientists stated that slight variations in the sun's energy output can greatly affect global weather patterns, such as the intensity of the Indian monsoon, and these effects can be predicted years in advance. The sun goes through an 11-year cycle marked by changes in sun spot activity that emit energy bursts. Despite the small difference in energy output between a solar maximum and minimum, determining how this variation impacts the Earth's climate has been a significant challenge for meteorologists. By analyzing a century of weather data and using intricate computer models, an international team of scientists, led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in the United States, demonstrated that even a small increase in the sun's energy can strengthen wind and rainfall patterns. Julie Arblaster, a co-author of the study published in Science, stated that the impacts of small changes in the sun's output on the global climate system have been recognized for some time. The researchers discovered how small variations are amplified to create cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and increased rainfall away from the equator for the first time. They found that during times of high solar activity, the upper atmosphere heats up over the tropics, leading to changes in wind patterns and increased tropical rainfall. Additionally, more sunlight during solar maximum slightly warms ocean surface waters in the subtropical Pacific, where clouds are usually less common. This additional warmth causes increased evaporation, resulting in more water vapor. The additional moisture is transported by trade winds to the typically rainy regions of the western tropical Pacific, causing more rainfall. In the tropical eastern Pacific, sea surface temperatures decrease slightly, leading to conditions akin to a La Nina event. La Nina is the opposite of El Nino, causing wetter conditions in the western Pacific and drier conditions in parts of South America. The Indian monsoon and various other regional climate patterns are primarily influenced by the movement of air in the tropics and subtropics. Predictions about the solar cycle could assist meteorologists in estimating potential variations in circulation patterns, sea surface temperatures, and regional weather patterns. NCAR scientist Gerald Meehl, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the sun, stratosphere, and oceans, highlighting their impact on events like winter rainfall in North America. Understanding the influence of the solar cycle could enhance scientists' ability to forecast regional weather patterns in the coming decades. Currently, the sun is in a quiet phase following a solar minimum at the end of the previous year. The Space Weather Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates the next solar peak in May 2013. Brad Carter, senior lecturer in physics at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, stated that the paper is a valuable contribution to understanding the potential climatic impacts of solar activity. He emphasized that while solar activity may have some effect on climate, it is important to note that it is not the sole explanation for global warming in recent years. For more information, visit www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/.

At least 14 individuals lost their lives due to rising waters in basements. A tornado in southern New Jersey destroyed a row of houses. Some motorists have been stuck since Wednesday night, with over 200,000 households in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania still lacking power. States of emergency have been announced throughout the area. The heavy rain on Wednesday, over six inches in a short period, transformed streets and subway platforms into waterways, prompting rescue teams in boats to save individuals stranded on car roofs and in flooded residences. Numerous individuals on trains and subways were evacuated. The rain, which surpassed previous records set by Tropical Storm Henri just 11 days earlier, highlighted the concerns of climate scientists about the impact of storms on a planet that is warming. With warmer air holding more water and allowing storms to intensify and expand rapidly, experts warn that this may become the new normal. Despite some improvement in the weather, several subway lines in the city remain partially suspended, as well as commuter rail services in the region. While airports are operational, numerous flights have been cancelled. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with some rivers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania still experiencing rising water levels. In New York City, the victims of the storm ranged from a 2-year-old boy to an 86-year-old woman, according to police reports. In basement apartments in Queens, some individuals drowned due to a system of makeshift and mostly illegally converted living spaces. City officials in Elizabeth, New Jersey, reported the discovery of five dead bodies in an apartment complex. Passaic, New Jersey experienced one fatality as the Passaic River overflowed its banks, causing fish to be seen in the streets. Central Park received a record-breaking 3.15 inches of rain in one hour on Wednesday, surpassing the previous record of 1.94 inches on Aug. 21. The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency in New York City for the first time, struggling to convey the level of danger. In Bergen County, the most populous county in New Jersey, County Executive James Tedesco, who used to be a firefighter, stated on Thursday that they are facing near total devastation, which is the worst he has ever seen. The remnants of Ida moved through parts of southern New England on Thursday, with the system located near eastern Long Island, New York, moving quickly northeast towards Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Heavy rain overnight led to flash flood warnings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, with the weather service warning of the potential for rare high impact flooding in southern New England. The rain had already caused flash flooding in various areas such as small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, as well as other locations with poor drainage and low elevation, as reported by the weather service. Even though the rain was starting to leave the region, there were still many flooded roads in southern New England. The Weather Service in Boston warned that it would take some time for the water to go down in these areas and advised people not to try to drive through flooded roads. Rhode Island has already experienced two tropical storms this hurricane season: Henri in August and Elsa in July. Copyright 2021 by The New York Times Company.

Computer simulations of the planet's weather patterns have the potential to provide forecasts with a few kilometers accuracy, which could help in predicting the impacts of severe weather events. However, it may take 20 to 40 years for this level of accuracy to be achieved as computer capabilities continue to advance, according to a senior British scientist. Alan Thorpe, director general of the ECMWF, explained that climate models could eventually reach a resolution of a few kilometers, providing valuable information on climate variability. Climate models are computerized representations of the Earth's climate system, incorporating physics and complex equations. Models like these can be utilized for predicting the weather, studying the climate, and forecasting climate change. Having a model with a more detailed resolution can lead to more precise results, however, this is dependent on the capacity of the computer. According to Thorpe, some climate models are currently reaching a resolution of 100 km, as opposed to 300 km a decade or so ago. "We already have the scientific knowledge and models to address the challenge of higher resolution, but we require the computational power to achieve it," Thorpe stated. He also mentioned that acquiring a top-of-the-line supercomputer could cost up to 200 million pounds, which is approximately 7 percent of the UK's annual science budget of 3 billion pounds. Thorpe emphasized the importance of recognizing the significance of climate change and allocating resources accordingly. Some experts have raised concerns about the potential severe impacts of climate change between 2030 and 2050. Criticisms have been directed towards certain climate models for their lack of accuracy in predicting extreme events well into the future. ECMWF scientists are focusing on researching tipping points in the climate system, where rapid and irreversible changes could occur. Thorpe highlighted the need to prioritize understanding and addressing these non-linear aspects of the climate system. He mentioned that the number of tipping points that exist is still uncertain. He suggested that progress could be accelerated if the entire science budget was focused on these questions, but there is already a significant amount of research being conducted in these areas. Some tipping points, like the disappearance of summer Arctic sea ice or the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, are expected to occur in the next few decades.

The risk was highlighted recently when a research facility near Ukraine's national seed bank was damaged in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. The cause of the damage was not determined and Crop Trust, a non-profit organization, declined to provide further information for security reasons. Only 4% of the seeds in Ukraine's seed bank, the tenth largest in the world, have been backed up. Stefan Schmitz, the executive director of Crop Trust, explained that seed banks serve as a form of life insurance for humanity by providing the necessary resources for developing new plant varieties that can resist various challenges such as drought, pests, diseases, and higher temperatures. He expressed concern over the potential destruction of Ukraine's seed bank, emphasizing the importance of preserving it. The director of the seed bank was unavailable for comment, Ukraine's academy of science chose not to comment, and Russia's defence ministry did not respond to inquiries about the damage. Researchers utilize the genetic diversity stored in seed banks to cultivate plants that are resilient to climate change and diseases. They have become increasingly important in ensuring that enough food is produced each season to feed 7.9 billion people as the world's weather becomes more extreme. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two of the world's leading grain exporters, has contributed to food price inflation and the risk of food scarcity, leading to protests in developing countries that rely on Ukraine's grain. The war in Syria has underscored the significance of backing up seeds, exemplified by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, the largest and most crucial seed backup facility in the world. In 2015, the Svalbard vault provided replacement samples of wheat, barley, and grasses suitable for dry regions to researchers in Lebanon after a seed bank near Aleppo was destroyed. Overall, the Svalbard vault protects over a million seed samples in a facility located in an Arctic mountainside. These 4% of Ukraine's 150,000 seeds represent more than 1,800 crops. The Crop Trust, based in Germany and the only international organization dedicated to protecting crop diversity, has provided funding to Ukraine to duplicate these seeds. However, challenges related to security, logistics, and natural cycles, as well as the ongoing war, make it difficult to expedite the process. It is estimated that only about 10% of Ukraine's seeds could be duplicated within a year due to the need for planting, growth, and harvesting before duplicates can be extracted and sent to Svalbard. In an emergency situation, the option of simply shipping the collection to Svalbard without duplication has been considered, but feasibility remains uncertain during wartime. The Syrian seeds are from the Fertile Crescent, the region where settled farming originated, and Ukraine also plays a significant role in agriculture. Grethe Helene Evjen, a senior adviser at the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, stated that agriculture in Ukraine dates back to prehistoric times and many of the country's seeds are unique. She mentioned that the ministry is prepared to assist Ukraine in replicating and storing all its seeds at Svalbard, but has not yet been approached by Ukrainian authorities.

Scientists have found connections between a warming planet and hurricanes, heat waves, and droughts, suggesting that climate change may have influenced these events. However, the link between climate change and tornadoes remains uncertain. Despite ongoing research on tornado trends and behavior, the role of climate change in tornado activity is still unclear. According to Michael Tippett, an associate professor at Columbia University, tornadoes are the most challenging weather phenomenon to connect to climate change. Harold Brooks, a senior research scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, also acknowledges that many questions about the relationship between climate change and tornadoes remain unanswered. Tornadoes are created within large rotating thunderstorms due to a combination of temperature, moisture profile, and wind profile. They form when unstable air pushes cold air over warmer humid air, creating an updraft as the warm air rises. If wind speed or direction changes suddenly within the clouds, the air can begin to spin and result in a tornado. Tornadoes can intensify when the air column begins spinning vertically and rotating near the ground, increasing friction on Earth's surface and accelerating the air inward. Similar to hurricanes and earthquakes, tornadoes are measured on the Enhanced Fujita, or EF, scale, which ranges from 0 to 5. The tornado that moved across northeast Arkansas, Tennessee, and western Kentucky recently was approximately three-quarters of a mile wide with wind speeds reaching between 158 and 206 mph, earning it a minimum EF rating of 3. Surveyors assess tornadoes by examining the extent of damage to different structures since it is difficult to measure winds directly. They determine the severity of the tornado by evaluating if the damage is limited to minor roof shingles or if entire sections of roofs and walls are missing. Based on the level of destruction, scientists estimate the wind speeds and assign a rating to the tornado. Researchers have observed a trend in recent years where tornadoes are occurring in clusters and the traditional tornado alley in the Great Plains may be shifting eastward. The total amount of tornadoes each year remains consistent at approximately 1,200. Tornadoes in December are atypical in the United States, as they usually occur in the spring. The tornadoes on Friday may have been caused by high wind shear, which is more common in winter, and warmer than usual weather. The question is raised - could climate change be the reason for this? The ingredients that lead to tornadoes consist of warm, moist air near the surface, cool dry air higher up, and wind shear, which involves changes in wind speed or direction. Climate change can impact each of these factors differently. According to Brooks from NOAA, as the planet warms and the climate shifts, these factors may not all change in the same way. While overall temperature and humidity, which contribute to the energy in the atmosphere, may increase with a warmer climate, wind shear may remain unchanged. If there is not enough wind shear to create rotation, the strength of the energy becomes irrelevant. The small size of tornadoes makes it difficult for scientists to accurately model them, hindering attribution studies to climate change. The tornado record is sparse compared to other events, possibly due to their localized nature and reliance on reports to the National Weather Service. This indicates that smaller or undetected tornadoes might go unreported. ©2021 The New York Times Company.

As they neared publication, they felt a sense of unease. Their research showed two very different outcomes for ocean life in the next three centuries depending on how greenhouse gas emissions were managed. The title of the study seemed to only focus on the negative aspects, so they decided to add a word to emphasize that the bleak future could still be prevented. The latest research article titled "Avoiding Ocean Mass Extinction From Climate Warming" was published in Science on Thursday. This study highlights the critical moment that humanity is currently facing, where decisions made about greenhouse gas emissions will have a significant impact on the future of life on Earth. Even though the worst consequences may seem distant, under the high emissions scenario modelled by scientists, continued pollution from fossil fuels could lead to a level of ocean species loss by 2300 comparable to the five mass extinctions in Earth's history, including the event that caused the extinction of dinosaurs. "It wasn't exactly a moment of sudden realization," explained Penn, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton, when reflecting on the first time he saw a graph comparing past extinctions with their grim predictions. "It was more of a moment of shock." On the contrary, scientists discovered that reducing emissions to align with the upper limit of the Paris climate agreement would decrease ocean extinction risks by over 70%. In this scenario, climate change would result in the loss of around 4% of species by the end of the century, when warming would cease. "Our decisions have significant consequences," stated Deutsch. Despite the general agreement that transitioning from coal to increased use of wind and solar energy would make the worst-case scenario less likely, the use of oil and gas continues to rise, and the world is not on course to achieve the lower-emissions scenario outlined by the scientists. The recent study expands on the previous research by Deutsch and Penn, which involved developing a computer simulation to analyze the most severe extinction event on Earth approximately 252 million years ago. Known as "the Great Dying," this event resulted in the extinction of over 90% of ocean species. The primary cause was global warming, brought on by volcanic eruptions. As a result, the oceans experienced a drop in oxygen levels, leading to the demise of fish due to heat stress, lack of oxygen, or a combination of both. The computer model revealed a higher number of extinctions at the poles compared to the tropics, a finding that was supported by the fossil record. The scientists used a complex model to predict the impacts of global warming caused by human activity, considering factors such as sunlight, clouds, ocean and air currents, and chemical interactions among heat, oxygen, water, and air. They also assessed potential shifts in fish habitats and estimated survivability thresholds. The study primarily focused on the effects of warming and oxygen depletion, but warned that ocean acidification and other cascading effects could exacerbate species loss as predicted. The ocean has historically served as a buffer against climate change by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and trapped heat from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The provision of that service has resulted in negative consequences. The ocean experienced its highest temperature and lowest oxygen levels in recorded history last year. Alterations in the ocean's chemistry are putting fish at risk and causing a sharp decline in coral reefs. Deutsch frequently hears concerns about the severity of the situation. "If we fail to act, we are in serious trouble." Countries are still not taking the necessary actions to prevent disastrous climate change. The UN Secretary-General recently warned that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is in jeopardy. The International Energy Agency has called for an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects, but countries have not complied. The recent conflict in Ukraine has led to calls for increased drilling for energy security. Some scientists feel like the ignored experts in the movie "Don't Look Up," where a comet symbolizes climate change. Just like in the film, the world is facing a critical moment where current actions will shape the future. Deutsch emphasized the importance of understanding the responsibility that comes with great power, particularly in terms of preserving the planet for future generations and all other forms of life. Pippa Moore, a marine science professor, praised a study for its thoroughness in highlighting the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. She warned that without significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, marine species could face major shifts in their habitats and potential extinction events similar to past mass extinctions. The reporting was contributed by Brad Plumer.

A group of US economists has stated that China is producing a much higher amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) than previously thought, which will hinder global efforts to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gases. China is the second-largest emitter of CO2 in the world, and some studies suggest it may have already surpassed the United States in emissions. This report may increase pressure on China to commit to binding cuts, something it has so far refused to do. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and UC San Diego published these findings in the May issue of the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, projecting that China's CO2 emissions will increase by at least 11 percent annually between 2004 and 2010. Previous estimates, including those used by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predicted a 2.5 to 5 percent annual increase in CO2 emissions for the same period in the region that includes China. The article is being released at a time when energy and environment ministers from the top 20 greenhouse gas emitting nations are set to meet in Japan to discuss climate change, clean energy, and sustainable development. The G20, including major polluters such as the United States and China, are responsible for about 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. There is increasing pressure on these countries to come to an agreement to stop and reverse the rising levels of CO2 emissions, which are the main contributor to global warming. According to U.S. researchers in a journal report, China is expected to see a significant increase in CO2 emissions by 2010 compared to 2000 levels, surpassing the carbon emissions reductions promised by developed countries during the first commitment phase of the Kyoto Protocol from 2008-2012. China is not required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2008-2012 according to the Kyoto Protocol, but it has agreed to participate in talks with nearly 190 nations in Bali in order to create a new global pact to combat emissions starting in 2013. Researchers analyzed pollution data from 30 Chinese provinces and official waste gas emissions data to gain a more detailed understanding of CO2 emissions up to 2004. UC Berkeley assistant professor Maximillian Auffhammer noted that the growth rate of China's CO2 emissions is exceeding expectations, making it much more difficult to achieve the goal of stabilizing atmospheric CO2 levels. The report mentioned that one reason for the problem was a change in policy after 2000, which allowed provinces more control over constructing power plants. Richard Carson, an economics professor at UC San Diego, pointed out that while wealthier coastal provinces built modern power plants, poorer interior provinces used outdated technology. Carson also noted that the long lifespan of power plants means that these provinces are now stuck with high-emission plants.

Supporters of a worldwide agreement prohibiting nuclear tests announced their intention to use US President Barack Obama's efforts towards disarmament to advance their cause at the United Nations this month. Obama has expressed his backing for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has not been implemented due to the lack of ratification by nine countries, including the United States. "There is a pressing need now more than ever to promote the non-proliferation regime," stated Omar Zniber, Morocco's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, where the CTBT agency is headquartered, during a press conference. Morocco and France are leading the efforts to encourage nuclear-capable nations like India, Pakistan, and North Korea to sign the treaty. Egypt, Iran, and Israel are among the countries that have not yet ratified the treaty. Senior officials from countries participating in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the United Nations Security Council will convene on September 24-25 at the United Nations headquarters in New York to discuss the treaty. This marks the first time in ten years that the United States will be participating in such discussions. The previous administration under George W. Bush did not prioritize nuclear diplomacy and arms control, and the US Senate's failure to ratify the treaty dates back to 1999, during President Clinton's term. At that time, US politicians argued that there was no foolproof way to ensure compliance with the treaty. However, proponents now argue that verification technology has significantly improved. President Obama has pledged to make renewed efforts to secure Senate ratification of the treaty. The administration of President Obama and Russia have emphasized the importance of eliminating nuclear arsenals worldwide, starting with their own countries. The upcoming UN talks will coincide with a special Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, which will be led by Obama. Tibor Toth, the executive secretary of the CTBT implementing agency, stated that while the US and Russia committing to gradual disarmament is significant, achieving a global test ban pact is also possible given the current diplomatic environment. He believes that there is renewed support for multilateralism and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and that there should be tangible results from these efforts. This is the treaty that is considered the most significant in terms of achieving a meaningful outcome. Approximately 180 countries have signed the treaty, with around 150 having ratified it. However, the treaty cannot come into effect until the remaining nine nuclear states sign and ratify it. Supporters believe that if the United States also joins the treaty, it will encourage other countries to follow suit.

The recent projections, which are based on new computer models and an analysis of the increased number of extreme heatwaves in the past decade, are more troubling than the findings of the UN panel of climate scientists last year. The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that it is very likely that heatwaves will become longer, more frequent, and more intense over most land areas this century. The study also revealed that monthly heat extremes in summer now affect five percent of the world's land area, a number projected to double by 2020 and quadruple by 2040. The most affected regions by increased heatwaves will be the tropics, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, parts of western Europe, central Asia, and the United States. According to Dim Coumou of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, in many areas, the coldest summer months by the end of the century will be hotter than the hottest experienced today unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The IPCC has warned that heat-trapping gases, primarily from burning fossil fuels, are causing temperatures to rise, leading to more severe downpours, heatwaves, floods, and rising sea levels. Nearly 200 governments have agreed to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times and are working towards a deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015. Global average surface temperatures have increased by 0.8C since the Industrial Revolution.

US scientists reported on Wednesday that approximately 74 percent of the oil from the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been removed, with 26 percent still remaining in various forms such as sheen, tarballs, buried in sediment, or washed ashore. According to the report "BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Budget : What Happened to the Oil?" burning, skimming, and direct recovery from the wellhead accounted for one quarter (25 percent) of the oil removed, while 25 percent naturally evaporated or dissolved and 24 percent was dispersed into small droplets. The remaining oil is either on or just beneath the water's surface, washed ashore, or buried in sand and sediments at the sea bottom. The Unified Command, consisting of government and private efforts, has dealt with 33 percent of the spilled oil so far. The report discovered that a total of 33 percent of the oil spill was removed through various methods such as direct capture, burning, skimming, and chemical dispersion. The remaining 74 percent was naturally removed. Carol Browner, an adviser to President Barack Obama, stated that the majority of the oil seems to have disappeared according to the initial assessment of scientists, which she believes is a significant milestone.

China is set to complete a new research station in Antarctica next year, according to state media. The station will be located on Dome A, the highest point on the continent, at 4,093 meters above sea level. The expedition to build the station will begin in November, with the goal of finishing by January. The station will be China's third on the continent and will be used for research on various topics, including ice core dating, geological evolution, global climate changes, and astronomy. Other nations with claims to Antarctica are also presenting their cases to the United Nations in what is being seen as a significant territorial dispute. There are regions in the continent that are being contested by Chile, Argentina, and Britain. The disputes have arisen due to the increasing focus on the possibility of mineral extraction in the North and South Poles. However, at present, all claims remain hypothetical as Antarctica is safeguarded by a treaty from 1959 that prohibits the exploitation of minerals on the continent, allowing only for scientific research.

The countries were categorized into four regions: North and South America, northern and western Europe, southern and eastern Europe, and Non-Americas and non-Europe. Data was not available from India or China. Lead author Carlos Nordt from the University of Zurich stated that despite specific differences in each country, there was a strong link between unemployment and suicide rates in all four regions. The study found that changes in unemployment rates affected both genders and different age groups equally. Following the 2008 crisis, there was a short-term increase of 5,000 suicides, totaling 46,000 suicides associated with unemployment that year. The impact of unemployment on suicide was more significant in countries with lower pre-crisis unemployment rates. The researchers recommend investing in programs that help people enter the job market and foster a healthy work environment, particularly in countries with lower unemployment rates. These findings suggest that suicide prevention strategies should focus on the negative health effects of unemployment during both economic stability and recession. The study was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.