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Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years

Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years

A major report has found that 12.5 trillion tons of ice from Greenland and Antarctica have melted since 1979

Satellite data shows major ice losses for Greenland and Antarctica

Satellite data shows major ice losses for Greenland and Antarctica

By Will Dunham Sept 16 (Reuters) - New research based on satellite data going back to the 1970s has documented major polar ice losses in Greenland and Antarctica — home to Earth's two great ice sheets — that have contributed to rising global sea levels.

El Niño Threatens Global Food Commodities

El Niño Threatens Global Food Commodities

The ongoing 'Godzilla' El Niño is significantly impacting global agricultural production, with sea surface temperatures rising by 3°C above average in September 2026 and forecasted to reach 4°C by November. This extreme weather phenomenon is disrupting rainfall patterns worldwide, leading to droughts in key rice-producing countries like India, Thailand, and Vietnam, while simultaneously creating wetter conditions in regions such as the southern United States and parts of Europe. Crops like rice, sugarcane, coffee, and cocoa are particularly vulnerable, with erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells reducing yields. Conversely, annual crops such as soybeans, wheat, and maize are benefiting from improved soil moisture in some areas, including the U.S. and South America. Experts warn that climate change may be amplifying the severity of this El Niño cycle, posing risks to food security and global trade.

Climate change made deadly Nepal glacier and rock collapse more likely, according to analysis

Climate change made deadly Nepal glacier and rock collapse more likely, according to analysis

Human-caused global warming resulting in the Himalayan permafrost thawing was, in part, responsible for the catastrophic glacier and boulder collapse last month

Arctic Region Investigated for Potential Shift from Carbon Sink to Carbon Source Amid Warming Climate

Arctic Region Investigated for Potential Shift from Carbon Sink to Carbon Source Amid Warming Climate

Researchers from the University of Oulu and Aarhus University are conducting a field campaign in Greenland's Zackenberg Valley to study its carbon balance. Traditionally, the Arctic has functioned as a carbon sink, absorbing more carbon than it releases. However, rising global temperatures threaten to alter this balance, potentially transforming the Zackenberg Valley into a significant source of carbon emissions. The OU-BACE30 project aims to understand how much carbon the area absorbs and stores, and how much is released into the atmosphere or transported by water. The research focuses on High Arctic tundra landscapes underlain by permafrost, particularly peatlands, which are crucial natural carbon stores. As permafrost thaws and soils warm, stored carbon can be released as greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to climate change. The study also draws comparisons with Finnish peatlands, which are experiencing warmer conditions, to predict future changes in Arctic ecosystems.

HX Expeditions Unveils Extensive 2028/29 Season with New Antarctic and Scandinavian Voyages

HX Expeditions Unveils Extensive 2028/29 Season with New Antarctic and Scandinavian Voyages

HX Expeditions Unveils Extensive 2028/29 Season with New Antarctic and Scandinavian Voyages

Study finds extreme heat seasons expanding globally

Study finds extreme heat seasons expanding globally

A recent study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat seasons are expanding beyond traditional summer months in over half of the global land areas. According to lead author Casey Ivanovich from Columbia University, this shift is occurring earlier in spring and extending later into fall in various regions. In the U.S., the heat season is expanding more into the fall, overlapping with other seasonal hazards like wildfires in the West and hurricanes in the East. The study compared data from the 1980s to 2015-2024, finding significant increases in both dry and humid heat extremes. These changes are attributed primarily to rising global temperatures linked to climate change, though other factors like land use and natural variability may also contribute.

Sick of sultry Septembers? Extreme heat is spreading from summer into fall

Sick of sultry Septembers? Extreme heat is spreading from summer into fall

A new study finds that in the United States, rather than occurring only during summer, extreme heat events have become more frequent in the months after, too.

Scientists Urge Emergency Measures to Combat Coral Bleaching and Marine Heatwaves

Scientists Urge Emergency Measures to Combat Coral Bleaching and Marine Heatwaves

Prominent scientists are advocating for immediate 'emergency' interventions to safeguard marine life from the severe impacts of an unprecedented El Niño event, which is causing record-breaking ocean temperatures. This El Niño, amplified by 150 years of global warming, is leading to sea surface temperatures up to 4°C above average in the east-central Pacific, a 60% increase over previous records. The elevated temperatures are pushing ocean ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and Antarctic krill, towards collapse. Michael Meredith of the British Antarctic Survey, a co-author of a journal article sent to governments including the U.S. and UK, emphasizes the urgency of these actions. The article highlights that past super El Niño events have already led to the collapse of fisheries, such as Peru's anchovy catch. Scientists are proposing measures like reducing fishing quotas, rescuing endangered species from the water, and exploring localized geoengineering techniques to mitigate the damage.

University of Windsor Researcher Aaron Fisk Honored for Great Lakes Ecosystem Research

University of Windsor Researcher Aaron Fisk Honored for Great Lakes Ecosystem Research

Dr. Aaron T. Fisk, a researcher at the University of Windsor, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, one of Canada's highest academic honors. This recognition is for his more than two decades of work in freshwater research, which has significantly advanced the understanding of aquatic ecosystems. Fisk's research spans various areas, including how contaminants move through aquatic food webs and the movement, feeding, and spawning patterns of fish across the Great Lakes and the Arctic. He has been instrumental in developing infrastructure for freshwater research, such as the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS) and the Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON). His work with GLATOS involves tracking multiple fish species in Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay, including collaborations with U.S. scientists to study the impact of rainbow trout aquaculture on wild fish in the Georgian Bay and Parry Sound area. Fisk has published over 330 scientific pap...

Marine Heatwaves Pose Growing Threat to U.S. Coastal Communities

Marine Heatwaves Pose Growing Threat to U.S. Coastal Communities

Marine heatwaves, defined as prolonged periods of abnormally high ocean surface temperatures, are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting in U.S. waters. These events are not only ecological crises but also significant public health threats, as highlighted in a recent study led by Dr. Laura Falkenberg and published in Nature Sustainability. The study emphasizes the connection between overheated seawater and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, which are fueled by warm ocean waters. For example, Hurricane Ian, which fed on record-warm Gulf waters, caused over $112 billion in damages, claimed more than 150 lives, and displaced thousands of families. Additionally, marine heatwaves are linked to toxic algal blooms, contaminated seafood, and severe mental health impacts on coastal communities. These cascading effects underscore the urgent need for integrated public health and environmental responses.