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Rising temperatures are projected to increase methane emissions from mangrove forests, with a 1°C warming linked to a 13–23% rise in methane flux. Despite methane’s high short-term warming potential, these emissions offset only 6–8% of mangrove carbon burial over 20 years. Mangroves remain highly effective long-term carbon sinks, and warming is expected to further boost their carbon sequestration capacity.
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Deforestation in the Amazon is causing a faster and more severe decline in rainfall than previously estimated, particularly in the southern region where precipitation has dropped by 8–11% annually. Analysis attributes 52–72% of this drying directly to forest loss, indicating that deforestation is a primary driver of reduced rainfall and increasing the risk of large-scale forest dieback.
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Microplastics were detected in about one-third of coastal fish from Pacific Island Countries and Territories, with Fiji showing contamination in nearly 75% of sampled fish—well above the global average. Reef and bottom-dwelling species, especially those feeding on invertebrates, had higher contamination rates. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in remote regions and underscore the need for stronger global plastic regulations.
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Under deep lower mantle and core-mantle boundary conditions, water and the hydrous mineral δ-AlOOH enter a superionic state, where mobile hydrogen and aluminum ions stabilize the crystal structure and suppress dehydration. This enables water to be stored in the deep mantle over geological timescales, providing a long-term reservoir and influencing Earth’s deep water cycle.
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Land-use changes such as deforestation and agricultural expansion significantly intensify heat waves by reducing land’s natural cooling through evaporation, leading to longer and more frequent extreme heat events. These effects, driven by fundamental physical processes, are globally relevant and highlight the need for integrated land management and emissions reduction to mitigate dangerous heat and humidity impacts.
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Airborne mineral dust on the Greenland Ice Sheet supplies phosphorus that promotes glacier algae growth, reducing surface albedo and accelerating ice melt. Wind disperses both mineral dust and algal cells, facilitating widespread algal colonization. These processes contribute to rapid, irreversible melting and have implications for future sea-level rise.
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PM2.5 pollution causes about 100,000 premature deaths annually in the US, with 40% linked to cross-state transport. Despite a 35% reduction in overall air pollution since 1998, the proportion of cross-border deaths remains unchanged. Most states are net exporters of pollution, leading to unequal health risks and responsibilities. A new data-driven framework enables clearer attribution and supports targeted policy action.
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An AI model using satellite data and deep diffusion technology predicts severe convective storms up to four hours in advance, improving forecast accuracy by over 15% at a 48 km scale compared to existing systems. It provides high-resolution, frequent updates across 20 million km2, outperforming radar-based methods, and enhances early warning and disaster preparedness in Asia.
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A statistical method using Gaussian AHP more accurately predicts landslide risk from heavy rainfall than the traditional AHP approach. Applied to data from São Sebastião, it identified a higher proportion of high-susceptibility areas (26.31% vs. 23.52%). The method objectively weights risk factors and can be broadly applied using standard geospatial data and software.
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Human-driven climate change has made extreme heat waves in southeastern Australia five times more likely, with such events now expected every five years instead of every 25. The January 2026 heat wave was 1.6°C hotter due to emissions, and similar events could occur every two years by century’s end if current emission trends persist, outweighing natural climate variability.
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Excessive use of deicers like sodium chloride on sidewalks and driveways leads to elevated chloride levels in streams, persisting year-round and harming aquatic life and water quality. Salt runoff can also increase sodium in tap water, posing health risks. Best management practices and reduced application on impervious surfaces can mitigate these impacts, but public awareness and proper usage remain limited.
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The Shiveluch volcano in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted, producing an ash column nearly 9,000 meters high. An orange aviation alert was issued for the area. Shiveluch, standing 3,300 meters tall and estimated to be 60,000–70,000 years old, is among the most active volcanoes in this UNESCO World Heritage region.
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The EPA’s proposed rollback of stricter PM2.5 standards is expected to worsen air quality, particularly in Michigan counties already exceeding pollution limits. Health advocates warn this change will increase risks for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, while critics argue it prioritizes business interests over public health and may reduce regulatory accountability for polluters.
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Severe flooding in Limpopo, South Africa, was intensified by increasingly frequent extreme rainfall, saturated soils, inadequate infrastructure, and limited community evacuation planning. Despite accurate forecasts, lack of preparedness, misinformation, and poor response contributed to high damage and fatalities. Improved early warnings, community engagement, infrastructure upgrades, and integrated disaster management are essential for future resilience.
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Analysis of six years of data on deliberately lit fires in Western Australia reveals that arson is more frequent during hotter months, late afternoons, weekends, and public holidays. Proximity to police and fire stations and waterways deters arson, while access to petrol stations and main roads facilitates it. Incorporating First Nations seasonal frameworks improved the identification of spatiotemporal patterns.
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Wildfire smoke poses significant health risks, including exacerbation of heart and lung conditions and potential links to dementia. Research on human behavioral responses to smoke is limited, with gaps in understanding vulnerable populations, global perspectives, and the influence of social norms. Effective interventions require insights into decision-making processes and targeted communication about practical exposure reduction strategies.
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Analysis of Lake Anna identifies legacy mines as a major source of phosphorus and toxic metals such as arsenic and lead, surpassing contributions from farms and residential areas. Phosphorus pollution is not strongly linked to agriculture, and the lake retains most pollutants, releasing them gradually. Effective management should address both nutrient and metal pollution, including mine remediation.
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China and India experience the highest mortality from PM2.5 pollution, with emission reductions offering the greatest health and economic benefits in these countries. The agricultural sector is the largest contributor to particulate and precursor pollution across the Northern Hemisphere. Health impacts and cost savings from mitigation vary by region, pollutant type, and economic context.
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A powerful winter storm, potentially a bomb cyclone, is expected to impact the U.S. East Coast, with significant snowfall likely in the Carolinas and Virginia. The storm’s exact track remains uncertain, but strong winds and frigid temperatures are forecast, extending cold conditions into Florida. Warm ocean waters and Arctic air are contributing to the storm’s intensity.
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NASA’s NURTURE airborne campaign is collecting detailed atmospheric data on winter storms using advanced remote sensing instruments, aiming to improve storm forecast models and demonstrate the feasibility of similar space-based observations. Coordinated with international and NOAA missions, these efforts will enhance understanding of large- and small-scale drivers of severe winter weather.
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Global antimicrobial use in livestock peaked in 2013 and declined by nearly one-third by 2020, mainly due to reductions in China and the US. Despite this progress, developed countries continue to drive demand for antimicrobial-intensive products through imports from emerging economies, shifting the antimicrobial burden abroad. The share of antimicrobials used for traded goods increased from 16% to 20% over the decade.
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The Ocean Equity Index (OEI) provides the first global framework to quantitatively assess and compare equity in ocean-related initiatives, addressing previous challenges in defining and monitoring fairness. The OEI evaluates 12 criteria, scoring each from 0 to 3, and expresses results as a percentage, enabling identification of gaps in rights, participation, and benefit sharing among stakeholders.
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Replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives could reduce ecotoxicity by up to 34% and global waste accumulation by up to 65% by 2050, provided proper waste management systems like industrial composting are in place. Without such infrastructure, greenhouse gas emissions could double. Biodegradable plastics also increase water use, highlighting the need for improved disposal systems and labeling.
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A major landslide in Niscemi, Sicily, has forced the evacuation of about 1,500 residents after a 4 km stretch of hillside collapsed, with experts warning further rainfall could worsen the situation. The town, built on unstable sandstone and clay, remains at risk as the landslide is still active and may expand, threatening more homes. Sicily has experienced 48 extreme weather events in 2025, highlighting increased landslide risk linked to climate change.
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In Finland, vehicles over 15 years old, particularly older diesel cars lacking particulate filters, are responsible for about 50% of harmful particle emissions, despite representing a small fraction of the fleet. Newer internal combustion engine vehicles emit 70% fewer particles. Targeted removal of high-emitting vehicles and adoption of electric cars are expected to significantly reduce emissions.
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