The Minamata Convention on Mercury, which came into effect in 2017, represents a pivotal global effort to control mercury emissions and mitigate its impacts on human health and the environment. While the Convention has established a regulatory framework intended to reduce mercury exposure worldwide, recent research casts doubt on the effectiveness of its measures in
Earth
The 4.2 kiloyear event, or megadrought, traditionally characterized as a global climatic catastrophe, has long been thought to have led to the decline of ancient civilizations and dramatic ecological changes. This widespread perception suggests that climate variations during this period were universally detrimental, driving early empires to collapse. However, new research emerging from Northern Arizona
Coral reefs are more than just vibrant ecosystems; they serve as natural archives of historical climate data. Recent research leveraging a remarkable 627-year coral record from Fiji reveals critical insights into ocean temperatures and climate variability in the Pacific. This study, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of climate scientists, enhances our understanding of how human-induced
Recent research led by a collaborative team of environmental scientists has unveiled a staggering revelation concerning global access to safe drinking water. This multi-institutional effort demonstrates that over 4.4 billion people, which equates to more than half of the world’s population, face significant barriers to obtaining clean drinking water. This figure, published in the prestigious
The Colorado River is a critical resource, supplying water for hydropower generation, agricultural irrigation, and essential drinking supplies across seven states in the U.S. and into Mexico. The river’s health and flow levels are highly dependent on the winter snowpack, which gradually melts in the spring, feeding into the river system. Traditionally, water managers assess
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a powerful and often contentious method of extracting natural gas and oil. A recent study conducted by researchers at Binghamton University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, delves into the methods employed by energy companies to secure land rights for fracking activities—a process often marked by aggressive
Africa’s montane forests, often perched on isolated mountain ranges, are known for their unique ecological characteristics. These environments are not only home to distinct biodiversity but also function as crucial water towers for surrounding lowland areas. The rich flora and fauna in these forests are adapted to specific climate conditions, which include relatively low temperatures,
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and an integral part of Earth’s biological and atmospheric processes. However, human activities have significantly altered the natural nitrogen cycle, leading to a series of environmental challenges. Activities such as agricultural production and fossil fuel combustion release several nitrogen compounds, including ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
The intricate dynamics of carbon cycling in Earth’s oceans have perplexed scientists for decades, particularly the preservation mechanisms of organic carbon in marine sediments. Recent groundbreaking research conducted by collaborative teams from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Bremen has begun to illuminate this obscure phenomenon. Their findings, published in *Nature Communications*, explore
Air pollution has long been recognized as a significant environmental issue, but recent findings from a study at James Madison University shed light on its role in intensifying summer thunderstorms. This research highlights an alarming connection: the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere is not merely detrimental to air quality but also impacts weather events,
The intricate and often volatile behavior of volcanic eruptions poses significant challenges for scientists and hazard assessment professionals alike. With a spectrum that ranges from serene lava flows to catastrophic explosive events, the unpredictability of volcanoes brings with it dire consequences not only for local populations but also for global systems, affecting air travel and
In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, numerous corporations proudly declare their commitment to carbon reduction or even carbon neutrality. However, a recent study published in Nature Communications by researchers from Kyoto University raises significant doubts about these claims. By analyzing the practices of 20 major companies actively participating in the voluntary carbon market
The urgency to comprehend the implications of climate change on extreme weather has never been more pronounced. Recent research spearheaded by scientists from Stanford University and Colorado State University offers a promising new avenue to achieve this understanding. Their innovative method, unveiled in an August 2023 publication in Science Advances, leverages machine learning technology to
Recent studies conducted by the University of Liverpool have brought to light the staggering capabilities of underwater avalanches, an often-overlooked geological process that can unleash tremendous destructive power beneath the ocean’s surface. These underwater phenomena, which remain elusive and difficult to observe directly, play a critical role in sediment transport, affecting everything from ocean floor
As our planet grapples with the escalating consequences of climate change, recent years have been filled with ominous headlines detailing catastrophic events like raging wildfires, hurricanes of unprecedented strength, devastating floods, and extreme heat waves. The narrative around these changes often paints a bleak picture of impending doom. Yet a new study spearheaded by researchers