A New Arctic Is Emerging, Thanks to Climate Change
After years of warning, sea ice coverage and other indicators are beginning to push outside the bounds of the former “normal” climate
EARTH877 articles archived since 1845
Global Biodiversity Is in Free Fall
A U.N. report reveals that countries worldwide have failed to meet key conservation targets set for 2020
Earth Hasn’t Warmed This Fast in Tens of Millions of Years
Chemical analyses of ancient sediments allowed scientists to put together one of the most comprehensive climate histories of the planet
Some Dinosaurs Probably Nested in Arctic
The finding of a baby dinosaur fossil in the Arctic implies that some dinos nested in the region, which was milder than today but not toasty.
Death by Lightning Is Common for Tropical Trees
A study estimates that 200 million trees in the tropics are mowed down by lightning annually.
Science Briefs from around the World
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one from Antarctica about how there’s something funny about penguin poop.
Antarctica’s Ice Shelves May Be at Growing Risk of Collapse
Surface melting that causes fractures in the ice could threaten more than half of the continent’s floating ice platforms
Extreme Heat Exposure Could Really Ramp Up in U.S. Cities
Unchecked climate change, urban development and population rise could all contribute to more people being exposed to punishing heat
How to Mine the Oceans Sustainably
Deep-sea minerals, including nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt, are crucial to building clean-energy technologies
With Fires, Heat and a Cyclone, Arctic Breaks Melting Record
Sea ice loss could ultimately beat the record low season of 2012
In Bee Shortage, Bubbles Could Help Pollinate
Soap bubbles are sticky enough to carry a pollen payload and delicate enough to land on flowers without harm.
Seismologists Find the World Quieted Down during Pandemic Lockdowns
COVID-19-related lockdowns dampened human activity around the globe—giving seismologists a rare glimpse of the earth’s quietest rumblings. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Old Art Offers Agriculture Info
Art museums are filled with centuries-old paintings with details of plants that today give us clues about evolution and breeding practices.
How COVID-19 Decreases Weather Forecast Accuracy
Meteorologists take advantage of weather data collected by commercial jetliners at different altitudes and locations. Fewer flights mean less data.
Worst- and Best-Case Scenarios for Warming Less Likely, Groundbreaking Study Finds
The research narrows the range for how much Earth’s average temperature may rise if CO2 levels are doubled
Warning: Atmosphere Could Burst into Flames
Originally published in August 1846
Invisible Ether Evolved with Time
Originally published in November 1904
With Sea Level Rise, High-tide Flooding Spikes Along U.S. Coasts
Fifteen communities set records for the number of days with such floods last year
Slash CO2, Then Wait—and Wait—for Temperatures to Drop
Climate action today will take decades to manifest in global temperatures because of “climate inertia”
