The Environmental Impact of AI and Datacentres
The exponential growth of AI and digital technology has revealed the significant environmental impact of datacentres, which consume substantial amounts of electricity and water. Kate Crawford’s Atlas of AI and the Anatomy of an AI System graphic have highlighted the environmental implications of these facilities. With datacentres consuming 18% of Ireland’s electricity and matching the energy consumption of urban dwellings, urgent legislative action is needed to address their environmental footprint.
Citizen Scientists Join Researchers in Groundbreaking Global DNA Collection Project
The LeDNA project is set to create the largest collection of environmental DNA (eDNA) ever gathered from aquatic environments in a single day, providing a comprehensive snapshot of global biodiversity. Citizen scientists are teaming up with researchers to collect DNA samples from hundreds of lakes across the globe, with over 500 individuals from 101 countries participating in the initiative. Environmental DNA has been instrumental in detecting endangered species and is considered a valuable asset for biodiversity monitoring, although researchers acknowledge its limitations.
Industrial Pollutants Found in Mediterranean Corals for the First Time
Scientists at University College London have discovered industrial pollutants embedded in Mediterranean corals for the first time, offering a potential new tool to track the history of pollution. The finding marks a historical marker of the proposed Anthropocene epoch, highlighting the extensive impact of human activity on the environment. This groundbreaking research sheds light on the impact of industrial pollutants on marine ecosystems and provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of fossil fuel combustion.
Dangerous Climate Tipping Points Will Affect Australia
Learn about the potential impacts of global climate tipping points on Australia and the irreversible changes that could occur. Cutting fossil greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to limit warming and reduce the risk of triggering tipping points.
Spider Webs as Traps for Environmental DNA
Spider webs, often associated with catching flies, have been found to be a useful trap for environmental DNA, offering a potential breakthrough for environmental scientists. The discovery that spider webs can capture fragments of skin, hair cells, or body fluids…
UConn Researchers Explore CO2 Removal for a Healthier Environment
UConn researchers are exploring CO2 removal as a way to foster a healthier environment. As efforts to address the effects of a warming planet ramp up, C02 removal is at the forefront of sustainability. But what happens to that carbon…
Human Evolution and Climate Crisis
Human evolution might be the biggest threat to solving the climate crisis, according to a new study from the University of Maine. The research aimed to understand how the process of cultural adaptation to the environment, a significant driver of…
The Interconnected Crises: Global Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT The Interconnected Crises: Global Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change By: Salman Akhtar Published: January 16, 2024 at 8:42 pm EST | Updated: Jan 17, 2024 at 8:36 am EST In a powerful plea echoed across 200 health…
Study Shows Positive Trend in Environmental Sustainability in EU-27 Countries
In a recent study published in Volume 18 of the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers evaluated the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the EU-27 from 1990 to 2019. The study focuses on analyzing trends towards environmental sustainability in these…
Human Evolution and Climate Change
Evolution might stop humans from solving climate change, researchers say By Marcus Wolf, University of Maine Humans have come to dominate the planet with tools and systems to exploit natural resources that were refined over thousands of years through the…