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The deadly landslides in Kerala's ecologically fragile Wayanad district were triggered by a heavy burst of rainfall, made 10 per cent heavier by <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, according to a new rapid attribution study by a global team of scientists. Researchers from India, Sweden, the US and the UK warned that such events will become more common as the climate continues to warm. To measure the impact of human-caused climate change, the scientists from the <keyword id="12008149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Weather-Attribution" source="Orion">World Weather Attribution</keyword> (WWA) group analysed climate models with high enough resolution to accurately reflect rainfall in the relatively small study area. The models indicated that the intensity of rainfall has increased by 10 per cent due to climate change, they said. The models also predict a further four per cent increase in rainfall intensity if the average <keyword id="21951013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-temperature" source="keywords">global temperature</keyword> rises by two degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 average. The scientists, however, said there is a "high level of uncertainty" in the model results as the study area is small and mountainous with complex rainfall-climate dynamics. Having said that, the increase in heavy one-day rainfall events aligns with a growing body of scientific evidence on extreme rainfall in a warming world, including in India, and the understanding that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to heavier downpours. According to scientists, the atmosphere's capacity to hold moisture increases by about 7 per cent for every one-degree Celsius rise in global temperature. The Earth's global surface temperature has already increased by around 1.3 degrees Celsius due to the rapidly rising concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Scientists say this is the reason behind worsening <keyword id="19912530" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="extreme-weather-events" source="keywords">extreme weather events</keyword>, such as droughts, heat waves and floods worldwide. The WWA scientists said that while the relationship between land cover, land use changes and landslide risk in Wayanad is not fully clear from existing studies, factors, such as quarrying for building materials and a 62 per cent reduction in forest cover may have increased the slopes' susceptibility to landslides during heavy rainfall. Other researchers have also linked the <keyword id="22597176" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wayanad-landslides" source="keywords">Wayanad landslides</keyword> to a combination of forest cover loss, mining in fragile terrain and prolonged rain followed by heavy precipitation. S Abhilash, the director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), had earlier told PTI that the warming of the Arabian Sea is leading to the formation of deep cloud systems, resulting in extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala in a short period and increasing the risk of landslides. "Our research found that the southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above Kerala to become thermodynamically unstable. This instability is allowing the formation of deep clouds," he had said. According to the landslide atlas released by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre last year, 10 out of the top 30 landslide-prone districts in India are in Kerala, with Wayanad ranked at the 13th spot. A study published by Springer in 2021 said all landslide hotspots in Kerala are in the Western Ghats region and are concentrated in Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. It said about 59 per cent of total landslides in Kerala have occurred in plantation areas. A 2022 study on depleting forest cover in Wayanad showed that 62 per cent of forests in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018, while plantation cover rose by around 1,800 per cent.

Wayanad landslides linked to 10% heavier rainfall due to climate change: Study

<keyword id="20025308" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="groundwater" source="keywords">Groundwater</keyword>, the Earth's largest source of unfrozen freshwater, is under threat. As our planet heats up, so too does the water hidden beneath our feet. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology predict that by 2100, <keyword id="22348281" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="groundwater-temperatures" source="Orion">groundwater temperatures</keyword> could rise significantly, exceeding safe <keyword id="19905383" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drinking-water" source="keywords">drinking water</keyword> standards in many regions. The culprit? <keyword id="20649149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gases" source="keywords">Greenhouse gases</keyword>. Their build-up in the atmosphere traps heat, warming not just the air but also the ground and the water it holds. The study used two climate scenarios, one moderate and one extreme, to estimate the impact. In both cases, the results were concerning. Under the more moderate scenario, groundwater temperatures are projected to rise by 2.1°C by 2100. This may not seem like much, but it's enough to push millions over the edge. Currently, around 30 million people already live in areas where groundwater exceeds safe drinking limits. With rising temperatures, this number could balloon to 77 to 188 million by 2100. Extreme scenarios paint an even bleaker picture. Here, groundwater temperatures could soar by 3.5°C, potentially impacting a staggering 59 to 588 million people. The vast range reflects regional variations in <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and population growth. The consequences of this hidden warming are far-reaching. Warmer groundwater can harbour harmful substances like arsenic and manganese, threatening human health. It can also disrupt delicate ecosystems and even impact geothermal energy potential. Fish, particularly those that rely on cool groundwater for spawning, could face reproductive issues. This isn't just an environmental concern; it's a public health crisis in the making. We need to act now to protect our precious groundwater resources. Sustainable practices, coupled with efforts to combat climate change, are crucial to ensure a future where clean drinking water remains a right, not a privilege. The findings of this study have been detailed in Nature Geoscience and can be accessed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01453-x">here</a>.

Groundwater temperatures could rise several notches by 2100, making it too hot to drink for millions!

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, scientists are exploring increasingly unconventional ideas to cool the planet. One of the more intriguing — and surprising — proposals is the use of <keyword id="23626780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="diamond-dust" source="keywords">diamond dust</keyword> injected into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and <keyword id="19912640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="earth" source="keywords">Earth</keyword> scientists found that injecting synthetic diamond particles might be the most effective way to combat <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">global warming</keyword>. <h2>Just chill, chill</h2>Global temperatures are rising rapidly, and scientists warn that we may have already reached a tipping point. Simply reducing <keyword id="19951337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-emissions" source="keywords">carbon emissions</keyword> may no longer be enough. Some experts argue that we need active measures to cool the planet and prevent further catastrophic changes to global weather patterns. One potential solution? <keyword id="23626781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-geoengineering" source="keywords">Solar geoengineering</keyword> — a method that involves injecting <keyword id="23626782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reflective-particles" source="keywords">reflective particles</keyword>, or aerosols, into the atmosphere to bounce sunlight back into space. Historically, sulphur dioxide has been the leading candidate for this approach. Released naturally by volcanic eruptions, sulphur dioxide is known to have a cooling effect on the Earth by reflecting sunlight. However, the downside of injecting it artificially is significant: it could lead to acid rain, damage the ozone layer, and disrupt weather patterns. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114118159" title="Delhi vs. air pollution: Minister pushes for ‘artificial rains’ in city ahead of Diwali as AQI remains worse than ever" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The new study aimed to find a better alternative by modelling the impact of seven different materials: calcite, diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, and sulphur dioxide. Their 3D <keyword id="19912529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-models" source="keywords">climate models</keyword> factored in light reflection, how long the particles would stay in the atmosphere, and whether they would clump together — something that could diminish their effectiveness. <h2>Why diamonds?</h2>The surprising result of the research was that diamond dust emerged as the most promising candidate. Tiny synthetic diamond particles proved to be highly effective at reflecting both sunlight and heat, while also remaining suspended in the atmosphere for a sufficient period. Unlike sulphur dioxide, diamonds are chemically inert, meaning they would not react with other atmospheric elements to cause harmful side effects like acid rain. The models suggested that injecting 5 million tons of synthetic diamond dust into the atmosphere annually could reduce global temperatures by 1.6°C over the course of 45 years. This kind of cooling would be enough to counteract some of the most severe effects of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and potentially buy time for other long-term solutions. <h2>The cost conundrum</h2>Despite the effectiveness of diamond dust in the simulations, the practical challenge of this approach lies in its cost. Producing and distributing the necessary amount of <keyword id="20001023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="synthetic-diamonds" source="keywords">synthetic diamonds</keyword> would come with an astronomical price tag — an estimated $200 trillion. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly double the size of the global economy in 2023. While the benefits of <keyword id="23626783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooling-the-planet" source="keywords">cooling the planet</keyword> are clear, such a high cost makes this solution far from feasible in the immediate future. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="97766424" title="A new climate solution involves shooting moon dust into space to create a &amp;#39;solar shield&amp;#39; around Earth, but scientists say it&amp;#39;s a risky last resort" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While the diamond dust concept is still in the research phase, the study underscores the urgency of exploring all possible solutions to cool the planet. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, unconventional ideas like this could play a role in the global effort to mitigate climate change. The findings of this research have been published in Geophysical Research Letters and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110575">here</a>.

Diamonds in the Sky: Scientists want to inject diamonds into our atmosphere to cool the planet!

A recent <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/535/1/L18/7760380">study</a> has revealed an unexpected consequence of the global lockdowns imposed in 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19: a measurable cooling of the <keyword id="19899207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moon" source="keywords">Moon</keyword>'s surface. Indian researchers from the <keyword id="20178202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Physical-Research-Laboratory" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Physical Research Laboratory" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Physical Research Laboratory">Physical Research Laboratory</keyword> (PRL) analysed night-time temperatures at six different locations on the Moon's near side between 2017 and 2023. Using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, they discovered a consistent temperature drop of 8-10 Kelvin during the strictest lockdown period of April-May 2020 compared to previous years. For instance, the coldest temperature was recorded in 2020, with a value of 96.2 K at one location. In contrast, post-lockdown years like 2021 and 2022 saw a gradual warming trend as human activity resumed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111772552" title="Newly discovered Moon caves could shelter astronauts as they set up lunar bases!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The researchers posit that this unusual cooling can be attributed to a reduction in Earth's outgoing radiation during the lockdowns. As human activity slowed down, <keyword id="20107362" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gas-emissions" source="keywords">greenhouse gas emissions</keyword> and aerosols decreased significantly. This meant less heat was trapped and re-emitted by Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a measurable decrease in the radiation reaching the Moon. Further, the Moon's surface acts as an amplifier of Earth's radiation signature. And this unique global event provided a rare opportunity to observe how changes in human activity on Earth can affect our nearest celestial neighbour. While the study presents a compelling correlation, the authors acknowledge that more data is needed to definitively establish the link between Earth's radiation changes and <keyword id="23366659" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lunar-surface-temperatures" source="keywords">lunar surface temperatures</keyword>. They suggest that future Moon-based observatories could play a crucial role in studying Earth's climate and environmental shifts. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112222991" title="Scientists want to send our endangered species to the Moon to “save” them" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This unexpected finding highlights the interconnectedness of our solar system and the far-reaching impacts of human activities on our planet. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, understanding these subtle interactions between Earth and the Moon can provide valuable insights into our planet's complex systems. (With inputs from TOI)

The Covid lockdowns did WHAT to the Moon?!

Cities in the Global South are equipped with only about 70% of the "<keyword id="23012235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooling-capacity" source="keywords">cooling capacity</keyword>" provided by <keyword id="22415441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-greenery" source="keywords">urban greenery</keyword> in cities in the Global North and are, therefore, more vulnerable to extreme heat, new research has found. As the planet warms, researchers said that rising temperatures, along with '<keyword id="21394968" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-heat-island" source="keywords">urban heat island</keyword>' effects, make cities hotter than rural areas. As a result, <keyword id="21187686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heat-related-illness" source="keywords">heat-related illness</keyword> and deaths in these areas are becoming more common. An international team, including researchers from the University of Exeter, UK, analysed satellite data on 500 of the world's largest cities to assess 'cooling capacity' -- how much do the urban green spaces cool down a city's <keyword id="21031051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="surface-temperatures" source="keywords">surface temperatures</keyword>? "Our analysis suggests green spaces can cool the surface temperature in the average city by about 3 degrees Celsius during warm seasons -- a vital difference during extreme heat," author Timothy M. Lenton, from the University of Exeter, said. "However, a concerning disparity is evident; on average <keyword id="23012236" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Global-South-cities" source="keywords">Global South cities</keyword> have only two-thirds the cooling capacity and cooling benefit compared to Global North cities," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Nature Communications. The disparity stems from differences in both quantity and quality of urban <keyword id="20897701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-infrastructure" source="keywords">green infrastructure</keyword> among cities, they said. The researchers said that tropical and sub-tropical cities, which are located closer to the equator, tend to have relatively weaker cooling capacities. "As Global South countries are predominantly located at low latitudes, this pattern leads to a situation in which Global South cities, which tend to be hotter and relatively lower-income, have, on average, approximately two-thirds the cooling capacity of the Global North cities," the authors wrote. Therefore, they said that the cities that most need to rely on green infrastructure are, at present, those that are least able to do so. Urban green spaces bring a cooling effect by providing shade and causing evaporation of water, the authors explained. Over 50 Indian cities too were analysed, including Delhi, Pune and Chennai. Previous studies have estimated current climate policies to leave more than a fifth of humanity exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100, with the largest at-risk populations in India and Nigeria, the researchers said. "Currently, the people dying due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> are often in the slums of cities in the Global South, such as the hottest parts of India," Lenton said. The researchers also found that there is "vast potential" to enhance urban cooling in the Global South and reduce inequality. Mogadishu, a Somalian city, was found to have the lowest cooling capacity, followed by Sana'a in Yemen and Rosario in Argentina.

Global South cities have only 70% of the 'cooling capacity' as that in the Global North one, notes recent study

Last week, visitors to Uttarakhand’s <keyword id="20923317" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Om-Parvat" source="keywords">Om Parvat</keyword> were met with an unprecedented sight — the revered peak, known for its perpetual snow cover forming the sacred "Om" symbol, was completely devoid of snow for the first time in recorded history. This alarming phenomenon has sparked concerns among locals, tourists, and environmental experts alike. Experts have attributed the <keyword id="22948698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="snow-disappearance" source="keywords">snow disappearance</keyword> to a combination of factors, including scanty rainfall and irregular snowfall in the upper <keyword id="20128077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himalayan-region" source="keywords">Himalayan region</keyword> over the past five years, escalating vehicular pollution, and the broader impacts of <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">global warming</keyword>. The cumulative effect of these environmental stressors has led to a dramatic change in Om Parvat’s snow cover, which melted completely this year, a stark departure from its usual 95-99% snow retention rate. <h2>Implications on Uttarakhand’s tourism and ecology</h2>Local officials expressed concerns that the absence of snow could negatively impact tourism, which is a vital part of the region’s economy. Hordes of pilgrims visit the Om Parvat due to the the profound significance of the “Om” symbol, to meditate and bask in the spiritual vibrations of the mystical place. Om Parvat, situated at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet in the Vyas Valley, is not only a popular tourist destination but also holds spiritual significance due to the natural "Om" formation on its snow-clad peak. The recent <keyword id="22950379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="snowless-period" source="keywords">snowless period</keyword> left visitors and residents alike unsettled. Spiritual importance aise, the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat are also home to a diverse flora and fauna that contribute to the Himalayan biodiversity. Local communities living in the mountains’ surrounding regions are similarly reliant on the Om Parvat to preserve their age-old traditions and customs. These already fragile ecosystems are further endangered by the impacts of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>. <h2>The return of snow</h2>Dhan Singh Bisht, who has served at the base camp of Adi Kailash yatra in Dharchula for over two decades, noted that this is the first time in his tenure that he witnessed Om Parvat completely devoid of snow, NDTV reported. The viral photos of the snowless peak even caught district administration officials off guard. However, they could heave a collective sigh of relief after fresh snowfall on Monday night. Momentarily alleviating fears about the hill’s future, forecasts indicate that wet conditions are expected to continue over <keyword id="20396441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pithoragarh" source="keywords">Pithoragarh</keyword> — where Om Parvat is situated. <h2>Cause for concern </h2>The loss of snow on Om Parvat can be interpreted as a momentary warning. Environmental experts like Sunil Nautiyal, Director of GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, have underscored the need to address the root causes of this issue. Rising temperatures in the Himalayan region, fueled by increased vehicular emissions and global warming, are contributing to the rapid melting of snow. Nautiyal also highlighted the damaging effects of rampant forest fires, which release carbon that further harms these sensitive ecological zones. The surge in tourist footfall following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jolingkong last October is also being scrutinised as a possible contributor to the environmental changes observed in the region. The disappearance and subsequent return of snow to Om Parvat serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and environmental sustainability in the Himalayan region. As experts and locals continue to monitor the situation, the hope remains that proactive measures can prevent a repeat of this year’s alarming snowless period. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110460525" title="Kalpa unveiled: Everything you need to know about this beautiful village" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Snow has returned to the Om Parvat in Uttarakhand after completely disappearing from the peak for the first time

With millions of people across five continents experiencing scorching heat last month, the European Union's (EU) climate agency, Copernicus <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">Climate Change</keyword> Service (C3S), confirmed on Monday that June was the warmest on record. It also marked the 12th consecutive month of <keyword id="20524196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-temperatures" source="keywords">global temperatures</keyword> reaching <keyword id="22325521" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="1-5-degrees-Celsius" source="keywords">1.5 degrees Celsius</keyword> above the pre-industrial average. According to scientists at C3S, every month since June last year has been the warmest such month on record. In January, the world completed an entire year with the mean surface air temperature exceeding the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold. June was the 12th consecutive month with monthly average temperatures above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average. At the 2015 UN climate talks in Paris, world leaders committed to limiting the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. However, a permanent breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius limit specified in the <keyword id="20104670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Agreement" source="keywords">Paris Agreement</keyword> refers to long-term warming over a 20 or 30-year period. Earth's global surface temperature has already increased by around 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the average in 1850-1900 due to the rapidly-increasing concentration of <keyword id="20649149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gases" source="keywords">greenhouse gases</keyword> -- primarily carbon dioxide and methane -- in the atmosphere. This warming is considered to be the reason behind record droughts, wildfires and floods worldwide. According to new data, June 2024 was the warmest on record, with an average surface air temperature of 16.66 degrees Celsius, 0.67 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average for the month and 0.14 degrees Celsius above the previous high set in June 2023. "The month was 1.5 degrees Celsius above the estimated June average for 1850-1900, the designated pre-industrial reference period, making it the 12th consecutive month to reach or break the 1.5-degree threshold," C3S said in a statement. It was also the 13th consecutive month of <keyword id="21477127" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="record-high-temperatures" source="keywords">record-high temperatures</keyword>, a result of the combined effect of the 2023-24 El Nino event and human-caused climate change. While unusual, a similar streak of monthly global temperature records happened previously in 2015-16. "This is more than a statistical oddity and highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate. Even if this specific streak of extremes ends at some point, we are bound to see new records being broken as the climate continues to warm. This is inevitable, unless we stop adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the oceans," said Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S. The European climate agency said the global average temperature for the last 12 months (July 2023-June 2024) is the highest on record, at 0.76 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 1.64 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average. The world's sea surface in June was also the highest ever recorded for the month. Several countries experienced record-breaking heat and devastating floods and storms in June. According to an analysis by Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators based in the United States, more than 60 per cent of the world population faced extreme heat that was made at least three times more likely by climate change during June 16-24. Climate Central said the blistering heat in June impacted 619 million (61.9 crore) people in India, 579 million (57.9 crore) in China, 231 million (23.1 crore) in Indonesia, 206 million (20.6 crore) in Nigeria, 176 million (17.6 crore) in Brazil, 171 million (17.1 crore) in Bangladesh, 165 million (16.5 crore) in the US, 152 million (15.2 crore) in Europe, 123 million (12.3 crore) in Mexico, 121 million (12.1 crore) in Ethiopia and 103 million (10.3 crore) in Egypt. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), northwest India recorded its warmest June since 1901. India, which experienced one of its hottest and longest heatwaves, recorded more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and over 100 heat-related deaths. The intense heat overwhelmed the water supply system and power grids, with Delhi grappling with a severe water crisis. According to the IMD, 11 states recorded 20 to 38 heatwave days -- up to four times the usual number of such days -- during the April-to-June period. The mercury breached 50 degrees Celsius in parts of Rajasthan, with night temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius in many places. Temperatures were most above average over eastern Canada, the western United States and Mexico, Brazil, northern Siberia, the Middle East, northern Africa, and western Antarctica. 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June warmest on record; every month since July 2023 breached 1.5 deg C threshold

If you’ve ever wondered whether fish can suffocate in water, the answer is yes. Our planet's waters, from the tiniest pond to the vast expanse of the ocean, are experiencing a silent crisis: a rapid and dramatic decline in <keyword id="21181078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxygen-levels" source="keywords">oxygen levels</keyword>. This "<keyword id="22526914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aquatic-deoxygenation" source="keywords">aquatic deoxygenation</keyword>," as scientists call it, poses a major threat not just to marine ecosystems, but to the very fabric of human society and the stability of life on Earth. An international study in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, involving researchers from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, urges world leaders to recognise this oxygen loss as a new planetary boundary. <keyword id="22526915" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="planetary-boundaries" source="keywords">Planetary boundaries</keyword> are critical thresholds that, if crossed, can trigger large-scale and irreversible environmental damage. Just like we need oxygen to breathe, so do <keyword id="22526918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aquatic-ecosystems" source="keywords">aquatic ecosystems</keyword> — from microscopic plankton to bigger fish. The decline in <keyword id="21809938" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dissolved-oxygen" source="keywords">dissolved oxygen</keyword> (DO) threatens the survival of countless species at all levels of the food chain. The study reveals a disturbing trend. Across all aquatic environments, from lakes and rivers to coastal waters and the open ocean, dissolved oxygen levels have dropped substantially in recent decades. <keyword id="22526916" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oceanic-oxygen-loss" source="keywords">Oceanic oxygen loss</keyword> may seem small at 2% since 1960, but due to the ocean's vast volume, this translates to a significant loss. Even more alarming is the case of specific regions, like the midwaters off Central California, where oxygen levels have plummeted by 40% in just a few decades. The research team warns that this isn't just an environmental concern; it's an economic and social one too. Billions of people rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems for food, income from fisheries and tourism, and clean drinking water. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111566431" title="June warmest on record; every month since July 2023 breached 1.5 deg C threshold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The culprit behind this oxygen depletion is a combination of factors. <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">Global warming</keyword>, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, raises water temperatures, decreasing the amount of oxygen water can hold. Additionally, nutrient runoff from land use changes stimulates massive <keyword id="22526917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="algal-blooms" source="keywords">algal blooms</keyword>. These blooms, while initially appearing productive, consume vast amounts of oxygen as they decompose, creating oxygen-depleted dead zones. Dr Rose, lead author of the study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, emphasises the urgency of addressing this issue. Adding aquatic deoxygenation to the list of planetary boundaries will focus global efforts on monitoring, research, and policy changes to protect our vital aquatic ecosystems and, in turn, human society. The root causes are global warming and nutrient runoff from land use, explains co-author Dr Andreas Oschlies of GEOMAR. Warmer water hinders oxygen exchange between deep and surface layers, and nutrient influx fuels algal blooms that deplete oxygen further. These oxygen-depleted zones aren't just lifeless wastelands; they have a ripple effect that threatens our planet's health. Microbes in these zones produce potent greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide and methane, contributing further to global warming and exacerbating the very problem they were created by. We are approaching critical thresholds, warns Professor Rose. Aquatic deoxygenation disrupts the delicate balance of Earth's climate system. Addressing the root causes, like climate change and unsustainable land practices, is crucial. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111609639" title="Groundwater temperatures could rise several notches by 2100, making it too hot to drink for millions!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Oxygen is disappearing from Earth’s water; this endangers marine life and human society!

<keyword id="20025308" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="groundwater" source="keywords">Groundwater</keyword> is projected to warm by 2-3.5 degrees Celsius before the turn of this century, potentially risking <keyword id="15300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water" source="Orion">water</keyword> quality and safety, apart from threatening <keyword id="19969898" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ecosystems" source="keywords">ecosystems</keyword> depending on the resource, a new research has found. The "world's first global groundwater temperature model" predicted the highest warming rates in Central Russia, Northern China and parts of North America, and the Amazon rainforest in South America. A team of researchers, led by those from the <keyword id="21946640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karlsruhe-Institute-of-Technology" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Karlsruhe Institute of Technology" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Karlsruhe Institute of Technology">Karlsruhe Institute of Technology</keyword>, Germany, said while a lot of focus on <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> concerns weather events and water availability, we also need to think about how it impacts groundwater, critical to life on the planet. Warming of groundwater can adversely impact ecosystems relying on them, they said. "Rivers rely on groundwater to keep flowing during dry times. Warm waters hold less dissolved oxygen," explained study co-author Gabriel Rau from the University of Newcastle, UK. The model also estimated that by 2100, 60-600 million people globally could be living in areas where groundwater exceeds the highest threshold for <keyword id="19905383" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drinking-water" source="keywords">drinking water</keyword> temperature guidelines set by any country. According to the World Health Organisation, currently only 18 out of 125 countries have temperature guidelines for drinking water. Warmer groundwater raises the risk of disease-causing microbial growth, thereby, affecting drinking water quality and potentially the lives of people, said Rau. "This is especially concerning in areas where access to clean drinking water is already limited, and in areas where groundwater is consumed without treatment," he added. Based on how heat spreads in water, the researchers modelled current groundwater temperatures and also projected changes between 2000-2100 around the world. Groundwater is present beneath the Earth's surface in pore spaces in rocks and soils. "We show that groundwater at the depth of the water table (excluding permafrost regions) is conservatively projected to warm on average by 2.1 degrees Celsius between 2000 and 2100 under a medium emissions (scenario)," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. Under this scenario, emissions trends do not markedly change from historical patterns. The model, however, showed that under a high-emissions scenario, or fossil fuel-driven development, the groundwater temperature could rise by 3.5 degrees Celsius. The warming of groundwater can be a cause for concern, although it depends on whether the climate change issue can be mitigated by cutting down greenhouse gas emissions, the researchers said. Warmer groundwater can also impact water quality by affecting its chemistry and microbiology, they said. "If temperatures increase, we may see significant impacts to our local aquatic animals, including their spawning processes which will impact industries and communities that are reliant on these ecosystems," said co-author Dylan Irvine, Charles Darwin University, Australia.

Groundwater to get over 3 degrees warmer by century's end, threatening water quality and safety: Study

In a concerning development driven by the relentless advance of <keyword id="6361617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="Orion">climate change</keyword>, our nights are growing hotter – and not in the way we would hope. Reports from multiple weather agencies have confirmed that August 2023 has entered the annals as the hottest month ever recorded. This alarming statistic cements this year's position as one of the warmest among an already increasingly hot 21st century, providing stark evidence of our planet's unwavering warming trend. However, the more evident consequences such as escalating sea levels and the extinction of species may not directly impact many individuals unless it affects their homes or puts their species at risk of vanishing. Nevertheless, a recent research study has disclosed that climate change is influencing other, seemingly mundane facets of our daily lives. Research from Columbia Public <keyword id="6354750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">Health</keyword> has established a direct correlation between elevated temperatures and a surge in hospital admissions related to alcohol and substance-related disorders. The United States is observing an escalating pattern of excessive episodic drinking and the occurrence of alcohol-related fatalities and illnesses, particularly among middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, drug overdose fatalities have increased by over fivefold since the close of the 20th century. Researchers delved into how temperature affects hospital admissions linked to alcohol and various drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and sedatives, in the state of New York. They analysed data encompassing 671,625 alcohol-related hospital visits and 721,469 substance-related hospital admissions spanning two decades, while also factoring in daily temperature and relative humidity records. Using statistical models, they contrasted days with high temperatures against adjacent days with lower mercury levels to gain insight into how short-term climate-related occurrences, like hotter days, impact hospital admissions. The findings disclosed that a 75th percentile surge in daily minimum temperature across a 0-6 day interval was linked to a 25% increase in hospital admission rates. Concerning substance-related disorders, elevated hospital admissions were only evident when nighttime temperatures escalated to the 50th percentile, rather than at higher temperatures. Moreover, the study proposed that a temperature threshold for substance abuse might exist because, beyond a certain temperature, people are less inclined to venture outdoors. The data demonstrated that these discoveries were consistent across different age groups, genders, and levels of social vulnerability. Nonetheless, the researchers acknowledge that their study possibly underestimates the association between rising temperatures and substance use disorders, as extremely severe disorders may have resulted in fatalities even before a <keyword id="4656143" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hospital-visit" source="Orion">hospital visit</keyword> became possible. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of pre-existing health conditions exacerbated by alcohol and/or substance use combined with elevated temperatures. The detailed findings of this study have been published in Communications Medicine and can be accessed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-023-00346-1" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

You Searched For "warm temperatures" and got 10 results

Wayanad landslides linked to 10% heavier rainfall due to climate change: Study

PTI

Groundwater temperatures could rise several notches by 2100, making it too hot to drink for millions!

Ashmita Gupta

Diamonds in the Sky: Scientists want to inject diamonds into our atmosphere to cool the planet!

BI India Bureau

The Covid lockdowns did WHAT to the Moon?!

Ashmita Gupta

Global South cities have only 70% of the 'cooling capacity' as that in the Global North one, notes recent study

PTI

Snow has returned to the Om Parvat in Uttarakhand after completely disappearing from the peak for the first time

BI India Bureau

June warmest on record; every month since July 2023 breached 1.5 deg C threshold

PTI

Oxygen is disappearing from Earth’s water; this endangers marine life and human society!

BI India Bureau

Groundwater to get over 3 degrees warmer by century's end, threatening water quality and safety: Study

PTI

Temperature's Toll: Hospitals see a surge in drug and alcohol abuse-related visits on hotter nights, study reveals

Ashmita Gupta

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