Coral bleaching occurs when stressors such as changes in temperature, nutrients or light cause corals to expel the zooxanthellae algae living in their tissue, turning them white. The most common cause of coral bleaching is warming ocean temperatures due to climate change. Now, a new study by scientists from England’s University of Plymouth has found […]
After analyzing 20 years of ocean-color data from satellites, researchers in the UK and the U.S. have found that globally, 56% of oceans are becoming greener. The researchers believe this could be a climate change-driven shift. Researchers used data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from NASA’s Aqua satellite, and reviewed images from […]
The Chumash people, a Tribe of Native Americans, have lived along the California coast for thousands of years. Until the arrival of Europeans in 1769, their population thrived in 150 towns and villages that encompassed 7,500 square miles, from Malibu to Paso Robles and inland to the border of the San Joaquin Valley. After the […]
The best way to experience what our planet was like before modern humans began to dramatically change the landscape is to go where the wilderness is. There are more than 200,000 protected areas across the globe that, as of mid-2021, covered 16.64 percent of the land and 7.74 percent of oceans. These national parks exemplify […]
The White House hosted the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit on Monday, during which President Joe Biden renewed the United States’ commitment to a partnership with the Pacific Islands. Biden announced plans to provide almost $200 million in funding for new activities and programs in the Pacific Islands, a press release from the White House said. […]
A new study confirms that the Gulf Stream, a strong current of warm water flowing from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean, has slowed by 4% in the past 40 years. Further, the study authors came to this conclusion with “virtual certainty” greater than 99%, although the paper doesn’t confirm the cause of […]
As the climate crisis causes global ocean temperatures to reach record highs, heat stress can lead to an increase in coral bleaching, which makes corals more susceptible to starvation and disease. Mass bleaching events are predicted to increase in severity and frequency, so scientists are trying to find solutions to protect sensitive corals. In addition […]
Recent satellite data from the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center shows that Antarctic sea ice extent is far below any level ever recorded. The continent’s sea ice is an important regulator of Earth’s temperature by not only lowering the temperature of the water below, but also reflecting the sun’s rays back into the […]
A new study by an international team of 29 scientists from eight countries provides the third update to the planetary boundaries framework. The update shows how human activities are increasingly impacting our planet, thus augmenting the risk of triggering drastic changes in Earth’s overall conditions. The nine planetary boundaries represent the limits within which humans […]