Category: Climate & Environment

Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa have found that several species of marine fungi have the impressive ability to degrade plastic. This breakthrough, led by Ronja Steinbach, who was a marine biology undergraduate student in the UH Mānoa College of Natural Science at the time, brings promising potential for addressing one of the most…

Sitting atop Bolivia’s high Andean plateau, the Salar de Uyuni conceals a critical natural resource just below its surface — the world’s largest known lithium deposit. According to the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment’s Avner Vengosh and doctoral student Gordon Williams, the hidden lithium brines pose significant potential for future sustainable energy but…

A new international study has revealed that conserving and restoring Southeast Asia’s carbon-rich peatlands and mangroves could mitigate more than 50% of the region’s land-use carbon emissions. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights how these ecosystems, which occupy just 5% of the region’s terrestrial land, are vital for climate goals across ASEAN countries. The…

In an exciting development, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new method to remove toxic “forever chemicals” from drinking water, marking a significant advancement in environmental science. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are industrial chemicals pervasive in various products like cosmetics, carpeting, non-stick cookware and food packaging. Unfortunately, they…

Short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution can dent cognitive abilities, making ordinary tasks like a supermarket shop more difficult, a new study has found. Published in Nature Communications, researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester discovered that high concentrations of PM can impair emotional interpretation and focus on tasks. Using candle smoke…

A new alarming study led by King’s College London has revealed the grave consequences of continued global warming. Published in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, the research indicates that a global temperature rise of just 0.5 degrees Celsius more than the 1.5 degrees Celsius benchmark could make a significant swath of the planet too hot…

An eye-opening study from Stanford University has unveiled the significant environmental benefits of recycling lithium-ion batteries, presenting a sustainable alternative to the traditional mining of vital battery metals. Published in Nature Communications, the lifecycle analysis demonstrates the overarching environmental advantages, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions and lowering water and energy usage. Significant Findings Conducted by…

The Greenland Ice Sheet is showing unprecedented signs of rapid change due to climate change, according to a new study published in Nature Geoscience. The research, led by Tom Chudley of Durham University, indicates that crevasses in the ice sheet are expanding more quickly than previously observed, which could accelerate the loss of ice from…

Much like the weather patterns we experience on land, our planet’s oceans have their own dynamic “weather” systems, known as eddies. These swirling currents, typically about 100 kilometers wide, play a crucial role in the ocean’s overall energy balance. However, new research from the University of Rochester reveals a surprising interaction between these ocean patterns…