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Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise Amplify U.S. Flood Risks

Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise Amplify U.S. Flood Risks

Coastal cities worldwide are facing increased flood risks due to the combined effects of land subsidence and sea-level rise, according to a study published in Nature. In the United States, cities such as New Orleans, Houston, and Norfolk are experiencing measurable land subsidence, which lowers ground elevations and exacerbates the impact of rising sea levels. This phenomenon is also observed in global cities like Jakarta, Bangkok, and Shanghai, where subsidence further intensifies flood hazards. The study highlights the urgent need for mitigation strategies to address these compounded risks in vulnerable coastal regions.

Scientists Research Deeper-Rooted Crops to Enhance Climate Resilience and Carbon Sequestration

Scientists Research Deeper-Rooted Crops to Enhance Climate Resilience and Carbon Sequestration

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are investigating whether genetically engineered crops with deeper root systems can help combat climate change. The goal is for these roots to withstand the effects of climate change, such as drought, while also drawing more carbon from the atmosphere and storing it underground. Over the past six years, Salk scientists have created an 'encyclopedia' of plant genomes, identifying 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth. By editing the DNA of common row crops like soybeans and sorghum, they have developed plants with roots that penetrate deeper into the soil. An $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund is supporting field tests in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa to measure the resilience of these plants to climate stressors, their carbon storage capacity, and their potential for large-scale adoption on farms. Initial field results are expected this fall.

Past Emissions from Top Polluters to Drive Decades of Global Warming, Study Finds

Past Emissions from Top Polluters to Drive Decades of Global Warming, Study Finds

A new University of Washington study, published in PLOS Climate, reveals that past emissions from the top 178 oil, gas, coal, and cement producers, collectively known as carbon majors, will continue to warm the planet for decades to come. Researchers simulated global climate through 2500 using the Finite Amplitude Impulse Response (FaIR) model, analyzing scenarios with varying emission levels. The study concludes that even if greenhouse gas emissions were to cease immediately, the Earth would remain approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels due to the long-term persistence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Dargan Frierson, a UW associate professor of atmospheric and climate science, emphasized that a stable future necessitates the complete cessation of fossil fuel burning. The findings highlight that the warming caused by past emissions from these carbon majors is calculable and relatively independent of future emission pathways, meaning their historical contributions will cont...

New Study Suggests Organic Beef Production Has Higher Carbon Footprint Than Conventional Methods

New Study Suggests Organic Beef Production Has Higher Carbon Footprint Than Conventional Methods

A recent preprint study indicates that organic beef farming may be more environmentally detrimental than conventional methods across several metrics, including carbon emissions, water usage, reactive nitrogen loss, and fossil fuel consumption. The study, which has not yet undergone peer review, found that organic beef production emitted 95% more carbon per kilogram of live cattle body weight compared to conventional production. This figure accounts for emissions from crop production for feed, farming equipment and fuel, and enteric methane emissions from the animals themselves. While organic farming is often perceived as more sustainable, this research suggests a more complex environmental impact, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions. The authors acknowledge that their study did not fully account for land use emissions, which could further impact the overall environmental assessment of both farming types.

States Plan New 'Climate Superfund' Legislation Despite Federal Ruling Against New York Law

States Plan New 'Climate Superfund' Legislation Despite Federal Ruling Against New York Law

Multiple state lawmakers across the U.S. are preparing to introduce new 'climate superfund' legislation in upcoming sessions, aiming to compel polluters to finance climate change mitigation efforts. This initiative persists despite a recent federal judge's ruling that effectively blocked New York's climate superfund law. Legislators in California, Illinois, and Massachusetts, who previously sponsored similar bills, have expressed continued interest in advancing these proposals. Massachusetts State Rep. Steven Owens (D) is looking to 'future-proof' his bill, while California Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D) plans to re-introduce legislation focused on making 'big polluters' pay their fair share. Illinois General Assembly Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D) believes the New York ruling does not apply to Illinois and intends to move forward with their bill. These efforts follow the enactment of similar policies in Vermont and New York in 2024, though many other states' attempts to pass such legislation in 2026 did n...

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander Urges Air Force Action on PFAS Contamination at Pease

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander Urges Air Force Action on PFAS Contamination at Pease

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, representing New Hampshire's 2nd district, is actively pressing the Air Force to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at Pease. She is collaborating with other New Hampshire officials to secure a definitive timeline for funding and implementing treatment solutions for municipal drinking water wells affected by the contamination. This effort highlights an ongoing environmental and public health concern in the region, stemming from historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at the former Air Force base. Goodlander's involvement extends beyond this specific issue, as she has also engaged in discussions at Yale regarding term limits and other political matters, and is participating in various legislative initiatives, including joining House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees and advocating for reduced energy costs for New Hampshire residents.

Organic Beef Production Exhibits Higher Carbon Footprint Than Conventional Methods, Study Finds

Organic Beef Production Exhibits Higher Carbon Footprint Than Conventional Methods, Study Finds

A new pre-print study indicates that organic beef farming is more environmentally harmful than conventional methods in terms of carbon emissions, water use, reactive nitrogen loss, and fossil fuel use. The research, which is not yet peer-reviewed, compared organic beef farming, which relies on pasture grazing, with conventional beef production in confined feedlots. The most significant finding was that organic beef emitted 95% more carbon per kilogram of live cattle body weight produced compared to conventional production. This figure includes emissions from crop production for feed, farming equipment and fuel, and enteric methane emissions from the animals themselves. The study utilized 25 years of data from the New Mexico State University Clayton Livestock Research Center to simulate annual yields for both types of beef production.

Salk Institute Researchers Develop Deeper-Rooted Crops to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Food Security

Salk Institute Researchers Develop Deeper-Rooted Crops to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Food Security

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are developing genetically modified crops with deeper root systems to combat climate change and improve food security. This initiative, part of the Harnessing Plants Initiative, aims to enable crops like soybeans and sorghum to store more carbon underground and withstand drought conditions. Scientists have identified 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth, allowing them to edit plant DNA to create roots that penetrate further into the soil. The goal is to leverage natural plant variations to enhance carbon sequestration and improve plant resilience. An $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund is supporting field tests to measure the effectiveness of these deeper-rooted plants in real farming conditions, assessing their drought resistance, carbon storage capacity, and impact on crop yields. Initial field results are anticipated this fall from test sites in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa.

12.5 Trillion Tons of Ice Melted Since 1979

12.5 Trillion Tons of Ice Melted Since 1979

A new study published in the journal Scientific Data reveals that Earth has lost approximately 12.5 trillion tons of ice from Greenland and Antarctica since 1979. This amount of ice melt is equivalent to covering the entire continental United States with a 5-foot layer of ice. The research highlights that the majority of the melting is caused by warmer ocean waters eroding the ice sheets from below and the sides, rather than by rising air temperatures. The study, conducted by an international team of polar scientists, utilized data from 45 independent surveys and 27 satellites, including those from NASA and the European Space Agency. The findings indicate that ice sheet melting has accelerated significantly since the 2010s, contributing to a global sea level rise of about one inch over the past 47 years.

Rising Seas Threaten U.S. Coastal Homes by 2050

Rising Seas Threaten U.S. Coastal Homes by 2050

According to Climate Central, by 2050, approximately 2.5 million Americans and 1.4 million homes along U.S. coastlines will face significant risks from severe coastal flooding. This is driven by rising sea levels caused by melting ice sheets and thermal expansion of warming oceans. In areas like the Outer Banks of North Carolina, erosion rates of up to 15 feet per year are reshaping communities. Homeowners are taking drastic measures, such as relocating homes inland or elevating them on pilings, to adapt to these changes. Local governments are also investing heavily in beach nourishment projects to protect infrastructure and homes, though these solutions are temporary and costly.

Industrial Krill Fishing Pressures Antarctic Ecosystem and Whale Populations

Industrial Krill Fishing Pressures Antarctic Ecosystem and Whale Populations

Industrial krill fishing operations are actively harvesting large quantities of krill from the feeding grounds of whales in the Antarctic. This krill is being used for fish feed and human dietary supplements. This activity is occurring in an ecosystem where Antarctic wildlife, including whales, heavily relies on krill as a primary food source. The increased demand for krill for commercial purposes is adding significant pressure to the already vulnerable Antarctic ecosystem. This commercial exploitation is taking place alongside climate-related changes that are also impacting krill availability, creating a dual threat to the marine environment.

Climate Week talks balance hope for clean energy against uncertainty over artificial intelligence

Climate Week talks balance hope for clean energy against uncertainty over artificial intelligence

World and business leaders this week will grapple with the urgent costs of climate change