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Mexico City Grapples with Persistent Sinking Due to Drained Lakebed

Mexico City Grapples with Persistent Sinking Due to Drained Lakebed

Mexico City, originally the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán built on an islet in Lake Texcoco, is currently experiencing significant subsidence. The modern metropolis, home to 22 million people, is slowly sinking into the ancient lakebed it was built upon. This phenomenon is primarily due to the collapse of the drained aquifer beneath the city. Historically, the Mexica people developed innovative technologies like chinampas and complex freshwater systems to thrive in their aquatic environment. However, after the Spanish conquest, efforts were made to drain the lake, culminating in the Gran Canal del Desagüe in 1901. This drainage led to the city's reliance on groundwater, with approximately 70% of its drinking supply now coming from wells. Satellite radar and GPS data indicate that subsidence rates have remained steady since 1950, reaching up to 50 centimeters per year in some areas, with cumulative elevation loss nearing 39 meters in the worst-affected regions. The sinking is largely irreversible as the lakebe...

What happens when the ocean gets too hot? Scientists are learning

What happens when the ocean gets too hot? Scientists are learning

As the planet's oceans absorb unprecedented heat, scientists are discovering the cascading consequences, from supercharged storms to collapsing ecosystems.

In a divided America, the left and right unite to oppose artificial intelligence data centers

In a divided America, the left and right unite to oppose artificial intelligence data centers

In the small Nebraska village of Murdock, now-paused plans for two potential data centers have sparked the kinds of debates that have raged in cities and towns across the country — and often cut across ideological lines

Flood Risk Miscommunication: The Need for a New Vocabulary

Flood Risk Miscommunication: The Need for a New Vocabulary

A recent article by Dr. Ceyda Polatel highlights the challenges in communicating flood risks effectively to the public. The term '100-year flood,' commonly used by engineers to describe a 1% annual chance of flooding, is often misunderstood by the public as a once-in-a-century event. This misinterpretation leads to a false sense of security, with many believing that a major flood reduces the likelihood of another in the near future. The article emphasizes the need for a shift in flood risk communication, moving from technical jargon to impact-based language that resonates with the public's understanding. This change is crucial as climate change, urbanization, and other factors alter flood patterns, making traditional labels less reliable. (Source: ASCE, 2026-08-26)

A lush knee-high jungle grows in the Arctic, but warming is changing Earth's mini-greenhouse

A lush knee-high jungle grows in the Arctic, but warming is changing Earth's mini-greenhouse

Alaska's North Slope tundra may look desolate, but crouch down and you'll see a lush jungle

Fossil Fuel Companies Linked to Half of Western U.S. Water Loss Due to Climate Change

Fossil Fuel Companies Linked to Half of Western U.S. Water Loss Due to Climate Change

A new study published in Nature's Communications Earth and Environment journal attributes approximately half of the Western U.S.'s water loss from 2014 to 2024 to emissions from 122 fossil fuel companies and cement producers, collectively termed 'carbon majors.' During this decade, the region experienced a decline of over a third in its typical annual snowpack and a 13% decrease in streamflows. The study, co-authored by Carly Phillips, a senior research scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, found that this pollution has depleted the West of trillions of gallons of water, equivalent to the full capacity of Lake Mead. The research utilized attribution science to link greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from fossil fuels, to extreme weather events and environmental changes. It highlights that rising temperatures lead to more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow, earlier snowmelt, and increased evaporation, ultimately reducing water availability in rivers, dams, and irrigation canals. The Co...

Colorado River Water Crisis Threatens Millions in the American Southwest

Colorado River Water Crisis Threatens Millions in the American Southwest

The American Southwest is facing a severe water crisis as the Colorado River, a critical water source for seven U.S. states, can no longer meet the demands of the region's growing population, agriculture, and industries. The river, which historically supplied 15 million acre-feet of water annually, now provides only about 12 million acre-feet. This shortfall has led the federal government to propose a new 10-year water allocation plan, which could reduce water supplies to California, Arizona, and Nevada by up to 3 million acre-feet annually—a 40% reduction. The plan aims to address the imbalance and give states time to negotiate a long-term solution. However, experts warn that the proposed cuts may not be sufficient to stabilize the system, especially during dry years. The crisis is exacerbated by climate change, which has reduced snowpack in the Rockies and accelerated snowmelt, further diminishing water availability.

Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Paused, Inflation Signals Possible Resumption

Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Paused, Inflation Signals Possible Resumption

The summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano in Halemaʻumaʻu crater is currently paused, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Data from summit tiltmeters indicates resumed inflation, suggesting another eruptive episode could occur between August 25 and August 28, with the highest likelihood on August 25-26. Glow from the north and west vents was observed overnight, and sulfur dioxide emissions remain elevated. The eruption is confined to a closed area within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The world inches toward catastrophic climate events: 'Bigger shocks are on the way'

The world inches toward catastrophic climate events: 'Bigger shocks are on the way'

Scientists have long warned that the world will experience more intense extreme weather events like heat waves, storms, floods and droughts as long as we continue to use gas, oil and coal at our current pace

Virginia Faces Drought Challenges with 3.9 Million Residents Affected

Virginia Faces Drought Challenges with 3.9 Million Residents Affected

Virginia is grappling with significant drought conditions, affecting 3.9 million residents, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor. June 2026 was the driest on record since 1895, with only 3.11 inches (79 mm) of precipitation, a deficit of 0.87 inches (22 mm) from the norm. The January-to-June period also saw a total of 16.18 inches (411 mm) of precipitation, 5.15 inches (131 mm) below average. These conditions are monitored by the Virginia Drought Management Task Force, which evaluates variables such as rainfall, streamflow, and soil moisture to guide water usage decisions.

Climate Warming Accelerates Freshwater Habitat Fragmentation

Climate Warming Accelerates Freshwater Habitat Fragmentation

A study published in Nature highlights the impact of climate warming on freshwater ecosystems, revealing that rising temperatures are causing thermal shocks and habitat fragmentation for 9,809 freshwater species. Using weekly water temperature data from 1976 to 2099, researchers assessed the vulnerability of species to short- and long-term thermal extremes. The study introduces the concept of Thermal Fragmentation Exposure (TFE), which quantifies the disruption of thermal habitat continuity across river networks. Gradual warming is shown to trigger abrupt thermal exposure, posing significant risks to biodiversity. Source time: not specified.