Medieval texts, ice core, and tree ring data reveal how volcanic eruptions triggered the Little Ice Age. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Geneva examined hundreds of annals and chronicles from across Europe and the Middle East, in search of references to total lunar eclipses and their coloration. They found that the darkest lunar eclipses all occurred within a year or so of major volcanic eruptions, leading to cooling and other climate anomalies. Find out how the monks' records of the brightness and colour of the eclipsed moon helped narrow down when the eruptions must have happened.

Are you curious about the possibility of asteroids hitting Earth in the next 1,000 years? Well, according to a new study published in The Astronomical Journal and reported by MIT Technology Review, there's good news - none of them are expected to hit us! The study, led by Oscar Fuentes-Muñoz from the University of Colorado, Boulder, used a new method to model when asteroids are expected to come near Earth in their orbit and pushed those estimates up to 1,000 years into the future. Read on to discover more about the study's findings and what this means for our planet's future.

Luke Howard's classification of clouds in the early 1800s revolutionized meteorology and changed humanity's understanding of the skies. Howard's simple insight based on years of observation was that clouds have few basic forms, and he introduced a series of intermediate and compound types to accommodate their essential instability. Howard's classification had an immediate international impact, and clouds became easier to understand as visible signs of otherwise invisible atmospheric processes. Understanding clouds is important in comprehending weather and climate patterns. Howard's classification also had a significant impact on art, with painters like John Constable painting clouds in the open air. Learning about clouds and meteorology can be intellectually stimulating and practically useful in comprehending weather patterns and climate change.

New research shows that the cost of annual flooding in the UK could increase by up to 23% over the next century due to climate change, unless all international pledges to reduce carbon emissions are met. The study, led by the University of Bristol and Fathom, highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the risk of flooding across the UK. The research also identifies the areas of the UK where risks will increase the most, including densely populated cities such as London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Coffee capsules - environmentally unfriendly or misunderstood? A study by the University of Quebec debunks the notion that coffee pods are wasteful and highlights their potential as a more sustainable way to enjoy your daily cup of joe.

Maps are a fundamental tool for navigation and education, but did you know that every map humans have ever made is wrong? That's because it's impossible to make a 100% accurate flat map of a spherical planet. Despite this, maps are still widely used today, including the Mercator projection, which distorts the size of land masses and bodies of water. However, maps are not just about navigation - they also shape our perception of the world. Simple changes in map design can completely shift our point of view. Learning about the different types of maps and their limitations can expand your understanding of geography and the world around you. By exploring this topic through reading, reflection, and self-directed projects, you can become an expert in cartography and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of maps.

Lightning is a fascinating natural phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for over 260 years. While the basics of lightning formation are known, scientists still don't fully understand how it forms. Lightning is like a zap of static electricity but on a much larger scale. It occurs when positive and negative charges build up in storm clouds, and a spark jumps between these areas. Learning about the science behind lightning formation can be intellectually stimulating and practically useful, as it can help us understand and prepare for thunderstorms. While there are still many unanswered questions, exploring this topic through reading and self-directed projects can be an exciting endeavor for high school students curious about the world around them.

Have you ever heard of the butterfly effect? It's the idea that small, seemingly insignificant events can have a big impact on the world around us. This concept also applies to our climate. Small changes in weather patterns can lead to big impacts on our planet. One example of this is the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO is a natural climate pattern that occurs when the ocean and atmosphere interact in the tropical Pacific. It can cause droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events around the world. In fact, the 1997-1998 El Niño caused $45 billion in damages and over 20,000 deaths. But it's not just natural events that can impact our climate. Human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation also contribute to changes in our weather and climate. The emissions from these activities trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. One of the leading academics in the field of climate science is Dr. James Hansen. He was one of the first scientists to warn the public about the dangers of climate change back in the 1980s. He has continued to be an advocate for action on climate change and has published numerous papers on the topic. Another important concept in climate science is the feedback loop. A feedback loop occurs when a change in one part of the climate system causes a change in another part of the system, which in turn can cause more changes in the original part. This can lead to amplification or damping of the original change. So what can we do about the butterfly effect on our climate? It starts with small actions we can take in our daily lives, like reducing our carbon footprint and supporting clean energy. But it also requires larger actions from governments and businesses to reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy. Remember, small actions can have a big impact on our climate. So let's work together to make a difference.

Wildfires can have a lasting impact on the ozone layer, a new MIT study shows. Smoke particles from the Australian "Black Summer" megafire triggered a chemical reaction that depleted ozone by 3-5% at mid-latitudes in the southern hemisphere, with effects reaching as far as Antarctica. The study highlights the need to consider the impact of wildfires on ozone recovery efforts and suggests that as long as ozone-depleting chemicals persist in the atmosphere, large fires could spark a reaction that temporarily depletes ozone.

The Moon is a fascinating subject that has influenced many aspects of our culture, thought and being. It is present in design, art, music, science, technology, religion, and more. Learning about the Moon can help us understand its impact on our bodies, minds, and environment. For example, the Moon affects the tides and may even affect crime rates. Additionally, the Moon has been personified as both male and female throughout history and has been the subject of many artistic works. By exploring the Moon's mysteries, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the natural world. Whether you see the Moon as a life support system, a bringer of death, or a symbol of peace, it embodies all the light and shade of human experience. So let's embrace the mystery and discover what the Moon has to offer!

A new study reveals that while ExxonMobil publicly denied the existence and cause of climate change, its own scientists were producing accurate projections and models of global warming between 1977 and 2003. The company's projections were even better than those provided by NASA scientist James Hansen to U.S. Congress.

The world's shift towards electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will require a huge demand for critical metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and platinum. This demand will have economic and supply-chain consequences, according to new research from Cornell University. Discover how countries can manage this demand and promote a circular economy for critical metals.

As high school students, we often think of ourselves as separate from the Earth, but are we really? We are all made of the same molecules as everything else on our planet and are part of an interconnected ecosystem that keeps us all alive. Throughout human history, many cultures have viewed their relationship to the Earth in other ways, such as animism and Taoism, and placed the spirit of the Earth at the center of their worldview. However, under colonization, the Earth became a place to be conquered, dominated, farmed, fished, plundered and mined, on a vast scale. Today, we are still trying to bend the planet's environment, processes, and biodiversity to our will, but can anything fundamentally change while we still see ourselves as somehow separate from Earth? By understanding that there is no Earth and us, but that we are one, we can find ways to truly reconnect to all life on the planet and make a positive impact on our environment. Learning about these concepts can not only benefit us intellectually but also practically in helping us to become better stewards of our planet.

A 1°C temperature rise can cause a tenfold increase in displacement, and a 50mm reduction in rainfall per month can double it. Conflict is a major driver, but displacement itself doesn't cause further conflict. Discover the impact of climate change on vulnerable regions across African drylands and the urgent need for adaptation measures.

Are you interested in environmental conservation but find it difficult to navigate the complex language used in the field? Look no further than Sustainability by Bryan Norton. Norton argues that the key to successful conservation lies in effective communication and proposes a new, interdisciplinary approach to defining sustainability. By creating a nonideological vocabulary that can accommodate scientific and evaluative environmental discourse, Norton encourages cooperation and adaptation through social learning. If you're looking for a practical framework that emphasizes problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration, Sustainability is the book for you. Recommended for environmental science students, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainability and conservation, Sustainability by Bryan Norton offers a unique perspective on the importance of effective communication in environmental policy. Norton's interdisciplinary approach to defining sustainability provides a practical framework that encourages experimentation and problem-solving. This book is relevant to a range of fields, including philosophy, linguistics, and environmental science, and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating solutions. If you're interested in learning more about how communication can be used to promote environmental conservation, Sustainability is a must-read.

The Inca's discovery of naturally occurring titanium dioxide and silica in a rare mineral deposit revolutionized the history of color, leading to the use of the brilliant white pigment in their ceremonial cups, centuries before its invention in the West. Explore the story of the Giacomo Deposit and the Inca's chromatic revolution.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed an algorithm that uses low-cost LiDAR sensors in smartphones to accurately measure tree diameter almost five times faster than traditional methods. The algorithm could revolutionize forest measurement and carbon sequestration monitoring. The app is designed to deal with natural irregularities and low-hanging branches, making it useful for non-managed forests. The researchers plan to make their app publicly available for Android phones later this spring.

What if we could capture carbon emissions at low cost, using a common polymer found in dinnerware and utensils? Researchers at UC Berkeley and Stanford have developed a method for using melamine to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks and vehicle exhaust, with efficiency comparable to more expensive materials. This breakthrough could help achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the researchers are exploring ways to improve the carbon capture efficiency even further.

In "Storms of My Grandchildren," Dr. James Hansen, the preeminent climate scientist, delivers a powerful and urgent message about the looming threat of global warming. With a stark warning that the planet is hurtling towards a climatic point of no return, Hansen calls for immediate and decisive action to phase out coal and achieve a goal of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet and the fate of future generations. Recommended for students of environmental science, policy makers, and anyone interested in the urgent issue of climate change, "Storms of My Grandchildren" provides a comprehensive and compelling overview of the science behind global warming and the political obstacles to addressing it. The book is an important resource for those seeking to understand the dire consequences of inaction, and the urgent need for a groundswell of public support to create a tipping point for change. Hansen's message is clear: we must act now to save our planet and our grandchildren from a catastrophic fate.

Did you know that visiting a website can generate up to 10 times the recommended carbon emissions? Learn how businesses are reducing their web carbon footprint through renewable hosting and optimizing web design. Discover the tools that can help you calculate your website's environmental impact and explore the case study of a product design studio that reduced its homepage carbon emissions by 96%.