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☆ Australia used a $528 million icebreaker to pull off a daring Antarctic rescue mission after an expeditioner fell ill at a remote research station
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Australia's Antarctic research agency rescued a sick expeditioner from a research site this month. The Nuyina, a research and supply vessel, traveled more than 1,800 miles to reach the site. Advertisement Advertisement Watch:The Casey research station, which is the closest permanent Antarctic station to Australia, is home to only about 20 people during the winter, the outlet reported. The aircraft took a nearly hour long flight to get to Casey and retrieve the sick expeditioner, according to the Australian Antarctic Program. A map shows the distance the Nuyina travelled between Hobart and Casey research center.

Persons: Casey, Robb Clifton, expeditioners, Clifton Organizations: Service, Australian Antarctic Program, Southern, Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Broadcasting Corp Locations: Wall, Silicon, Perth, Hobart, Tasmania, Antarctica, Australia, Casey

☆ Climate change: The world has just experienced the hottest summer on record
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —As heat waves continue to bake parts of the world, scientists are reporting that this blistering, deadly summer was the hottest on record – and by a significant margin. The planet experienced its hottest June on record, followed by the hottest July – both breaking previous records by large margins. August was also the warmest such month on record, according to the new Copernicus data, and warmer than every other month this year except for July. The global average temperature for the month was 16.82 degrees Celsius – 0.31 degrees warmer than the previous record set in 2016. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesCountries in the Southern Hemisphere have also experienced startlingly warm winters, with well-above average temperatures recorded in Australia, several South American countries and Antarctica.

Persons: Copernicus, It’s, ”, António Guterres, Petteri Taalas, Richard A, Brooks, Patrick T, Fallon, El, Samantha Burgess, CNN Burgess Organizations: CNN, Northern, United Nations, “, World Meteorological Organization, Getty, Southern, North Atlantic Locations: United States, Europe, Japan, Tokyo, AFP, Phoenix , Arizona, Australia, Antarctica, Atlantic, Pacific, Florida

August was about 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial averages, which is the warming threshold that the world is trying not to pass. “Climate breakdown has begun.”Political Cartoons View All 1145 ImagesSo far, 2023 is the second hottest year on record, behind 2016, according to Copernicus. Usually an El Nino, which started earlier this year, adds extra heat to global temperatures but more so in its second year. The world has been warmer before, but that was prior to human civilization, seas were much higher and the poles were not icy. While the world's air and oceans were setting records for heat, Antarctica continued to set records for low amounts of sea ice, the WMO said.

Persons: Copernicus, ”, Antonio Guterres, Carlo Buontempo, ___ Borenstein, Seth Borenstein Organizations: GENEVA, Northern, World Meteorological Organization, WMO, ” United Nations, El Nino, University of Maine's, Twitter, AP Locations: El, United Kingdom, United States, Antarctica, Washington

Last month was the hottest August on record, topping off the hottest summer on record, according to climate scientists. June through August was the warmest summer on record globally by a “large margin,” according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Well-above average temperatures also occurred in Australia, several South American countries and around much of Antarctica, according to the service. Climate change certainly left its mark on the summer, with one report finding that more than 80% of humanity – or 4 in 5 people – experienced a hotter July largely due to human-caused climate change. Cartoons on Climate Change View All 167 Images“The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, said in a statement.

Persons: Samantha Burgess, –, António Guterres, El, Burgess Organizations: United Nations Locations: U.S, Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica

☆ Invasive species cost the world $423 billion every year and are causing environmental chaos, UN report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Scroll through the gallery to see more of the planet's most problematic invasive species. Sarefo / Wikimedia Commons In pictures: Invasive species around the world Prev Next‘Prevention, prevention, prevention’Along with invasive species, other key drivers of biodiversity loss include destruction of land and sea habitats, exploitation of organisms, climate change and pollution. As well as flammable invasive plants sparking and spreading wildfires, climate change is enabling invasive species to move north – even to remote areas such as high mountains, deserts and frozen tundra. Preventing the arrival of new species into new regions is the best way to manage threats from invasive species, according to the report. For invasive species that have already taken hold, eradication has been a useful tool, especially on islands, according to the report.

Persons: ”, Helen Roy, ” Roy, David Gray, Peter Stoett, Anibal Pauchard, Ian Hitchcock, Starling, MENAHEM KAHANA, Phil Mislinski, Jeff J Mitchell, SANJAY KANOJIA, MUNIR UZ ZAMAN, ” Stoett, Stoett, –, ” Pauchard Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Services, billabong, Nile Virus, Ontario Tech University, Chile’s Institute of Ecology, Pacific, World Wildlife Fund, US Department of Agriculture, USA, Studies, New Zealand Government, European, Starlings, AFP, Getty, North, Wikimedia Locations: Darwin, Australia, Africa, Caribbean, Guam, North America, Hawaii, Maui, Antarctica, Pacific, North, South America, Azov, China, Japan, Europe, Bermuda, New Zealand, New York, USA, Australasia, South Africa, United States, AFP, East Africa, Western Asia, Americas, Kenya, India, Puerto Rico, Kunming, Montreal

☆ From non-native bluegrass in Antarctica to beautiful spotted bugs in the middle of NYC, here are 5 invasive species that are as stunning as they are threatening to humanity
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Here are 5 of the most obvious examples of how invasive species are impacting all of us right now. Scientists say invasive species are one of the top five drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide (alongside other environmental issues like pollution and climate change). The authors of the new UN report estimate that only about 6% of non-native plants and 11% of non-native microbes are invasive species. AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, invasive species are an outsized driver of animal and plant extinctions, contributing to over half (60%) of them. Even Antarctica isn't safe from the threat of invaders like a non-native bluegrassPoa annua is an annual bluegrass species native to Eurasia.

Persons: Peter Stoett —, Stoett, we're, Gary Hershorn, Michael M, Joe Biden, Mandel Ngan, Melani Spielman, it's, Dan Kitwood, Wolfgang Kaehler, South America —, Kilian Fichou, Hu Weibin, Anibal Pauchard Organizations: UN, Service, United Nations, Ontario Tech University, Washington Post, Services, East, New, US Department of Agriculture, Getty, Cornell University, South America, Publishing, University of Concepción Locations: New York, Antarctica, New York City, China, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York , New Jersey , Michigan, Ohio, Inwood, Park, Maui, Marine, AFP, Waimea Valley, Africa, Hawaii, Somoria, Guinea, South America, Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh, Florida, South, Europe, Lakes, Lake Ontario, Canada, Great, North America, Michigan, Eurasia, Chile

☆ Australia rescues sick expedition member from remote Antarctic outpost
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A sick expedition member has been evacuated from a remote Antarctic outpost in the depths of winter following a rescue operation spanning thousands of kilometers, Australian authorities said Monday. Perched on the edge of the Antarctic ice cap, the Casey research station is located on the northern part of Bailey Peninsula on the Budd Coast, 3,880 kilometers (2,410 miles) south of Perth, Western Australia. Australian Antarctic DivisionIt’s one of three permanent stations on the Antarctic coast run by Australia and is staffed year-round with about 150 expeditioners visiting Casey during the summer. An image of the Casey Research Station in the east Antarctic. Australian Antarctic DivisionDescribed by the AAP as “the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations,” the icebreaker Nuyina will make a roughly 7,000 kilometer-round journey to complete the evacuation.

Persons: AAD, ” Robb Clifton, AAD’s, Casey, ” Clifton, Wilkins Organizations: CNN, Australian Antarctic Division, Casey Research Station, Casey Sunday, Royal Hobart Hospital, Australian Antarctic Program, . Australian Antarctic, AAP Locations: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Bailey, Budd Coast, Perth, Western Australia, Antarctica, Casey

☆ Bird Flu Raced Through South America. Antarctica Could Be Next.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Emily Anthes | More About Emily Anthes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Last fall, the virus, known as H5N1, finally arrived in South America. It raced quickly down the Pacific coast and killed wild birds and marine mammals in staggering numbers. “The negative impact of this virus on Antarctic wildlife could be immense — likely worse than that on South American wildlife,” the report warns. More than 100 million birds breed in Antarctica and on the islands nearby, and many marine mammals swim in the surrounding waters. Some of those species, including the distinctive emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal, crowd together in large colonies.

Persons: OFFLU, ”, Ralph Vanstreels, Davis Organizations: University of California Locations: Europe, Africa, Asia, United States, South America, Peru, Chile, Antarctica, Australia, American

☆ India rolls out its first rover on the lunar surface after historic landing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft landed on the lunar surface near the moon's south pole on Wednesday. The historic occasion marked the country as a global space power and only the fourth nation to achieve a lunar landing. Chandrayaan-3 has already returned several images and rolled out its Pragyan rover on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, Russia’s Luna 25 lander crashed into the moon, causing experts to question the country’s future lunar ambitions. ConsequencesEmperor penguins rely on sea ice to hatch and raise their chicks, but global warming is diminishing their habitat.

Persons: CNN —, Ray, Russia’s, Bonnie Prince Charlie, “, ”, Barbora Veselá, Apptronik, Sergio Pitamitz, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, NASA, SpaceX, International, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Ray Imaging, ISRO India, University of Dundee, Solar Orbiter, —, CNN Space, Science Locations: United States, Russia, Japan, Denmark, United Kingdom, Austin , Texas, Tennessee, Monterey , California

☆ Bob Barker, long-time US TV game show host, dies at age 99
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Bob Barker introduces the "Plinko" game segment during the taping of his final episode of the game show "The Price Is Right" in Los Angeles June 6, 2007. Barker died on Saturday morning of natural causes at his longtime Hollywood Hills, California, home, his publicist Roger Neal said. "No, I'm working," deadpanned Barker, known for his good-natured humor. In the film "Happy Gilmore," Barker played himself in a memorable scene in which he was playing in a golf pro-am tournament with Sandler's character, an excitable failed hockey player turned golfer. Even before his stint on that show wrapped up, Barker began hosting "The Price Is Right" on CBS.

Persons: Bob Barker, Fred Prouser, Barker, Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler, Roger Neal, bray, deadpanned Barker, Sandler, Chuck Norris, Dorothy, Will Dunham, Paul Grant, Timothy Gardner, Bill Trott, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Hollywood, Sea, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Hartford Courant, Miss USA, Miss Universe, NBC, CBS, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Hollywood Hills , California, Sea Shepherd, U.S, Darrington , Washington

☆ Around 10,000 penguin chicks died when the Antarctic ice they lived on melted — they were still too young to survive in the icy water
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Around 10,000 penguin chicks died after an ice bed they lived on broke apart, the BBC said. The emperor penguin chicks, who had not yet developed waterproof feathers, died last October. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Emperors depend on sea ice for their breeding cycle; it's the stable platform they use to bring up their young. Smyley Island emperor penguin colony on October 28, 2022 (left) versus December 3, 2022 (right). By the end of December 2022, sea ice extent was the lowest experienced in the 45-year satellite record.

Persons: Dr, Peter Fretwell Organizations: BBC, Service, British Antarctic Survey, Copernicus Sentinel Locations: Wall, Silicon, Bellingshausen, Antarctica

☆ Emporer penguins: Huge colonies lost all chicks as sea ice melts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —As rapidly warming global temperatures help push Antarctica’s sea ice to unprecedented lows, it’s threatening the very existence of one of the continent’s most iconic species: emperor penguins. Emperor penguins rely on stable sea ice attached to land for nesting and raising their chicks. For the past few years, scientists have been sounding the alarm about a steep decline in Antarctica’s sea ice. In mid-July, Antarctic sea ice reached the lowest level for this time of year since records began in 1945. Antarctic sea ice also helps regulate the planet’s temperature, reflecting the sun’s incoming energy back to space.

Persons: Norman Ratcliffe, ”, Ratcliffe, Julian Quinones, “, Cassandra Brooks, ” Ratcliffe Organizations: CNN, British Antarctic Survey, University of Colorado Boulder Locations: Bellingshausen, floes, Argentina, Antarctica

☆ In a Worrisome Sign, Some Emperor Penguins Had a Terrible 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Delger Erdenesanaa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Four out of five emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica’s Bellingshausen Sea region very likely lost their chicks late last year because of disappearing sea ice underneath their breeding grounds, according to a new study. Parts of this coastal region had lost all of their sea ice by November, which was probably before penguin chicks had grown waterproof adult feathers and learned to swim. It’s the first time scientists have seen a widespread failure across multiple penguin colonies in a region, researchers said. “At the moment, we’re not sure if this is just a blip,” said Norman Ratcliffe, a seabird ecologist with the British Antarctic Survey and one of the authors of the new study. “But if this becomes a consistent phenomena in the longer term, clearly it’s going to have repercussions for the species.”

Persons: “, we’re, ”, Norman Ratcliffe Organizations: British Antarctic Survey Locations: Antarctica’s Bellingshausen

☆ A couple bought an abandoned farm in Portugal for $103,000 and turned it into an off-the-grid homestead where they're raising 2 small kids — see how they did it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

A couple moved from the UK to Portugal to live on an abandoned farm they bought for $103,000. The couple moved from the UK to Portugal to restore and live on an abandoned farm. The couple fell in love with the second property they viewed — an abandoned farm set on three acres of land. The couple — who were living and traveling around in a van at that time — bought the farm for 95,000 euros, or about $103,000. The Newbys have been documenting every step of their Portuguese farm renovation on their YouTube channel.

Persons: Tara Newby, They've, Tara, —, Sawyer, John, we've, Portugal's, John said, who've, they've, you'll, We've Organizations: Service, YouTube, Google Locations: Portugal, Wall, Silicon, Lisbon, England, Bristol, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Antarctica, Europe

☆ Watch the last billion years of Earth's tectonic plate movement in just 40 seconds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Aylin Woodward | Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2021, geologists animated a video that shows how Earth's tectonic plates moved over the last billion years. But in 2021 a group of geologists offered up an easily digestible peek at 1 billion years of plate tectonic motion. Building a better model of Earth's platesThe Earth's plates move in a variety of ways and can cause earthquakes, mountains, and canyons. The top layer — between 5 and 50 miles thick — is the crust, which is fragmented into tectonic plates that fit together. The jigsaw puzzle of Earth's continents hasn't stopped shifting, of course.

Persons: Sabin Zahirovic, Pangea, Joshua Stevens, Dietmar Müller Organizations: Service, University of Sydney, U.S . Geological Survey, Geologists, NASA Locations: Antarctica, U.S, Sandwell, Africa, Europe

☆ Oceans absorb 90% of the heat from climate change — here's why record ocean temps are so harmful
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +22 min

"Over 90 percent of the excess energy on earth due to climate change is found in warmer oceans, some of it in surface oceans and some at depth." Put simply, the greenhouse gases serve to trap more heat, some of which is absorbed by the ocean," Kirtman told CNBC. In addition to the daily record on July 31, the monthly sea surface temperature for July was the hottest July on record, "by far," Copernicus said. CopernicusThese record sea surface temperatures arise from multiple factors, including the El Niño weather pattern, which is currently in effect. "These climate variations occur when sea surface temperature patterns of warming and cooling self-reinforce by changing patterns of winds and precipitation that deepen the sea surface temperature changes."

Persons: Baylor, Carlos E, Del Castillo, Castillo, Benjamin Kirtman, Kirtman, Copernicus, Gavin Schmidt, Kemper, Zeke Hausfather, Sarah Kapnick, Kapnick, Kempler, Hurricane Ian, Michael Lowry, Lowry, Rainer Froese, Daniel Pauly, Pauly, Vigfus, pollack, Sean Gallup, Lorenz Hauser, Hauser, Froese, Phanor Montoya, Javier, Carolyn Cole, Hans W, Paerl, Justin Sullivan, Christopher Gobler, Gobler, Gary Griggs, Kimberly McKenna, Angela Weiss, Griggs, it's, Judith Kildow, Kildow, It's Organizations: International, Baylor Fox, Kemper, Brown University, CNBC, Ecology Laboratory, NASA, University of Miami, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Fox, El, Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, heatwave, NOAA, Northern Hemisphere, Miami Herald, Tribune, Service, Getty, Helmholtz, Ocean Research, University of British Columbia's Institute, Fisheries, School of, Fishery Sciences, Restoration Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Looe Key, Los Angeles Times, University of North, Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, Berkeley Marina, San, Quality, Centers for Disease Control, Stony Brooke University's School of Marine, Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Stockton University Coastal Research, Afp, Ocean Economics Locations: Florida, El, Pacific, Berkeley, Fort Myers, Hurricane, Germany, New York, Nova Scotia, Hofn, Hornafjordur, Iceland, Seattle, Alaska, Looe, University of North Carolina, San Francisco Bay, Berkeley , California, San Francisco, Europe, Santa Cruz, Atlantic City , New Jersey, Atlantic City, Antarctica, Greenland

☆ A mystery 300-mile wide formation lurking beneath Australia may be the largest asteroid impact crater on Earth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Scientists have uncovered traces of what they think could be the world's largest asteroid impact. The impact might have occurred 450 million years ago, wiping out 85 percent of Earth's species, one said. The structure, the scientists say, could be the remnants of an enormous asteroid impact that hit the Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. If confirmed, it would be the largest asteroid impact on record. The memory of the impact is hidden in the groundOne would think finding the world's largest asteroid impact should be fairly easy.

Persons: Andrew Glickson, Glickson, Tony Yeates Organizations: Service, Australian Geological Survey Organization, telltale Locations: Australia, Wall, Silicon, Deniliquin, New South Wales, South Africa, Pangea, South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Antarctica

☆ Scientists found a new sea creature with 20 'arms' and named it after a strawberry
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The so-called arms are the longer, feathery-like parts of the Antarctic strawberry feather star shown in the image. It belongs under the class of Crinoidea, which includes starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers, and is a type of feather star — hence the less formal "Antarctic feather star" name. The Antarctic strawberry feather star stands out in particular due to the number of "arms" it has. "So we went from one species with 20 arms to now eight species — six with 20 arms and two with 10 arms under the name Promachocrinus," Rouse said. According to the paper, the Antarctic strawberry feather star was found somewhere between 215 feet to about 3,840 feet below the surface.

Persons: Greg Rouse, Rouse, Emily McLaughlin, Nerid Wilson, Greg W, We've, kerguelnsis, Eric A Organizations: Service, Privacy, University of California, university's Scripps, of Oceanography Locations: Wall, Silicon, San Diego, Australia

☆ No quick fix to reverse Antarctic sea ice loss as warming intensifies, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( David Stanway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Penguins are seen on an iceberg as scientists investigate the impact of climate change on Antarctica's penguin colonies, on the northern side of the Antarctic peninsula, Antarctica January 15, 2022. There's no quick fix to replacing this ice," said Caroline Holmes, polar climate scientist at British Antarctic Survey and one of the study's co-authors. The precise impact of climate change on Antarctica and the surrounding ocean has been uncertain and scientists have struggled to measure how much global warming is affecting the thickness of Antarctic ice. "Antarctica is fragile as an environment, but extreme events test that fragility," he said. "What we're deeply concerned about is the increase in intensity and frequency of extreme events and the cascading influences that they have in other areas."

Persons: Natalie Thomas, Caroline Holmes, Tim Naish, " Naish, Martin Siegert, Siegert, David Stanway, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Penguins, REUTERS, Environmental, Antarctic Survey, Antarctic Research, Australia's Victoria University of Wellington, Global, University of Exeter, Thomson Locations: Antarctica, SINGAPORE, New Zealand, Australia

☆ This couple are driving around the world in a Land Rover together
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“It all started with a road trip in Belgium,” says 29-year-old Chazee, who was born in Thailand. Shared dreamNicolas Chazee and Mathilde Vougny are driving around the world in a Land Rover Defender named Albatross. Epic adventureVoughny, seen in Finland, says that she and Chazee thought their dream road trip was "unachievable" until they began researching it. “People joke that if you have a Land Rover, you’re also going to end up being a mechanic,” says Chazee. Next Meridian ExpeditionAside from the car problems, the couple say that the extreme weather conditions they’ve experienced have been among their biggest challenges so far.

Persons: Nicolas Chazee, Mathilde Vougny, ”, “, we’ve, ’ ”, they’d, Chazee, Vougny, ” Vougny, who’ve, they’ve, They’ve, you’re, I’ve, I’m, ” Chazee, he’s, they’ll, Next Meridian Expedition They’ve Organizations: CNN, Rover, Meridian Expedition, Rover Defender, Next Meridian, YouTube, Central America, “, Next, Next Meridian Expedition Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Thailand, Europe, France, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Halifax, Canada, Alaska, Wyoming , Colorado , Utah, Arizona, California, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, Chile, “, Central America, USA, Argentina, Antarctica, Asia, Africa

Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, and yet the vast majority have not been mapped or explored. And man-made climate change is to blame. In today’s newsletter we’ll take a deep dive into what’s happening, with help from our colleagues. ‘Astonishing’ heatThe average temperature of the world’s oceans spiked to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in April, and it’s nearly back to that level once again. (She also made all of the graphics in today’s newsletter.)

Persons: it’s, Elena Shao Locations: Atlantic, Florida, Antarctica

☆ A Look at How Much Less Antarctic Sea Ice There Is This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Delger Erdenesanaa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere, when ice typically forms around Antarctica. But this year, that growth has been stunted, hitting a record low by a wide margin. The sharp drop in sea ice is alarming scientists and raising concerns about its vital role in regulating ocean and air temperatures, circulating ocean water and maintaining an ecosystem crucial for everything from microscopic plankton to the continent’s iconic penguins. “This year is really different,” said Ted Scambos, a senior research scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder and an Antarctica expert at the National Snow and Ice Data Center. “It’s a very sudden change.”A continued decline in Antarctic sea ice would have global consequences by exposing more of the continent’s ice sheet to the open ocean, allowing it to melt and break off more easily, contributing to rising sea levels that affect coastal populations around the world.

Persons: ”, Ted Scambos, “ Organizations: Southern, University of Colorado, Data Locations: Antarctica, University of Colorado Boulder

☆ Scientists have revived 'zombie' bugs and viruses before that were trapped in ancient ice. One may have been 8 million years old.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Scientists have previously revived ancient bacteria and prehistoric viruses that had been trapped. Scientists have a long record of resurrecting prehistoric viruses and ancient bacteria frozen in ice. However, as the climate crisis is melting ancient ice sheets worldwide, experts are growing concerned that prehistoric viruses could pose a risk to humanity. Other research has found 28 prehistoric viruses dating back 15,000 years in frozen ice cores. It's very difficult to keep samples pristine when extracting ancient ice, and even more difficult to conclusively date the ice.

Persons: Lonnie Thompson, Jean, Michel Claverie, it's, Birgitta Evengård, It's, hadn't Organizations: Service, Privacy, The Ohio State University, Byrd, Climate Research, Umea University, CNN Locations: Yao, Tibetan, French, Antarctica, Russia

☆ Antarctica is missing an Argentina-sized amount of sea ice – and scientists are scrambling to figure out why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Antarctic sea ice has fallen to unprecedented lows for this time of year. Every year, Antarctic sea ice shrinks to its lowest levels towards the end of February, during the continent’s summer. In mid-July, Antarctica’s sea ice was 2.6 million square kilometers (1 million square miles) below the 1981 to 2010 average. While natural climate variability affects the sea ice, many scientists say climate change may be a major driver for the disappearing ice. A lack of sea ice could also have significant impacts on its wildlife, including krill on which many of the region’s whales feed, and penguins and seals that rely on sea ice for feeding and resting.

Persons: Ted Scambos, ”, “, Scambos, ” Scambos, ’, Julienne, West, –, Thwaites, it’s Organizations: CNN, Northern, Data, University of Colorado, ”, Data Center, Southern Locations: Argentina, Texas , California, New Mexico , Arizona , Nevada , Utah, Colorado, University of Colorado Boulder, Antarctica

☆ Scientists are racing to explore more of the ocean hoping to discover medical breakthroughs and address the climate crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Two of the Basecamp Research team taking samples in Azores, Portugal. A Heritage Malta diver taking samples. The protocol omitted the high seas, which refers to parts of the seas that are not under territorial control of any specific country. This is particularly important as policy evolves with the ratification of the High Seas Treaty. Joseph MarlowThe treaty also puts into action an agreement to protect 30% of the high seas by 2030.

Persons: Basecamp, Emma Bolt, Rob Finn, Finn, Saif Ur, Rehman, Basecamp Research's Bolton, Joseph Marlow, Bolton Organizations: Service, Basecamp Research, Basecamp, Heritage, Heritage Malta, Heritage Malta Technology Locations: Azores, Portugal, Heritage Malta, Antarctica, silico, Nagoya

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