Environment
'Dark oxygen': a deep-sea discovery that has split scientists
Could lumpy metallic rocks in the deepest, darkest reaches of the ocean be making oxygen in the absence of sunlight? Some scientists think so, but others have challenged the claim that so-called "dark oxygen" is being produced in the lightless abyss of the seabed. The discovery -- detailed last July… Read
'Sound science' must guide deep-sea mining: top official
Rules on deep-sea mining in international waters must be driven by "sound science" and built on consensus, the head of the body charged with regulating the divisive practice says. Deep-sea mining in international waters involves taking minerals like nickel, cobalt and copper -- crucial for renewable energy technology -- from… Read
Scientists say Trump cuts threaten climate research, public safety
Climate scientist Tom Di Liberto had dreamed of working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since college. After more than a decade as a contractor, he finally secured a full-time position nearly two years ago. Last week, he was among hundreds abruptly fired in a sweeping government purge… Read
Majority of world's population breathes dirty air, report says
Most of the world has dirty air, with just 17% of cities globally meeting air pollution guidelines, according to a new report. Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir analyzed data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations in 138 countries and found that Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India had the… Read
Study says climate change will even make Earth's orbit a mess
Climate change is already causing all sorts of problems on Earth, but soon it will be making a mess in orbit around the planet too, a new study finds. MIT researchers calculated that as global warming caused by burning of coal, oil, gas continues it may reduce the available space… Read
Sea levels rise by 'unexpected' amount in 2024: NASA
Global sea levels rose more than expected in 2024, Earth's hottest year on record, according to an analysis released Thursday by the U.S. space agency NASA. On its website, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration explained that last year's increase "was due to an unusual amount of ocean warming, combined… Read
EPA head says he'll roll back dozens of environmental regulations, including rules on climate change
In what he called the “most consequential day of deregulation in American history,” the head of the Environmental Protection Agency announced a series of actions Wednesday to roll back landmark environmental regulations, including rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change and electric vehicles. “We are driving a dagger… Read
Protections drop for wolves in most of Europe
Wolves have become less protected in most of Europe as new conservation regulations came into force, except in three countries that objected to the move including the United Kingdom, the Council of Europe said. The move allows hunting to resume under strict regulation, which activists fear could result in a… Read
First national analysis finds America's butterflies are disappearing at 'catastrophic' rate
America's butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds. The first countrywide systematic analysis of butterfly abundance found that the number of butterflies in the lower 48 states has been falling on… Read
Scientists raise concerns as U.S. stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide
The U.S. government will stop sharing air quality data gathered from its embassies and consulates, worrying local scientists and experts who say the effort was vital to monitor global air quality and improve public health. In response to an inquiry from The Associated Press, the State Department said that its… Read
