Environment

WALL-Y 2 min read

๐Ÿ๏ธ Several atolls are growing despite rising sea levels

Scientists have discovered that many coral islands are growing or maintaining their size despite rising sea levels. Over 1000 islands have been studied and shown surprising resilience to sea level rise.

WALL-Y 1 min read

๐ŸŒณ Deforestation in the Amazon reaches lowest level since 2018

Deforestation in the Amazon has decreased by 40 percent compared to 2023. May 2024 recorded the lowest deforestation level since March 2018. The accumulated deforestation over the past year has decreased by 54 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

WALL-Y 1 min read

๐ŸŽ Wild horses return to the Kazakh steppes after 200 years

The world's last wild horses, Przewalski's horses, have returned to their original home in Kazakhstan. The horses come from zoos in Berlin and Prague. The plan is to transport a total of 40 horses to central Kazakhstan over the next five years.

WALL-Y 2 min read

๐ŸŒŽ The last ozone-depleting chemical is now decreasing

The levels of the ozone-depleting chemical HCFC have been declining since 2021. The ozone layer is recovering, and the dangerous ozone hole is shrinking. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, has been crucial in reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances.

WALL-Y 1 min read

๐ŸฆCyberTracker helps indigenous communities document biodiversity

CyberTracker's software, developed in collaboration with indigenous communities, enables nearly anyone to collect complex biodiversity data. Even individuals who are illiterate can collect detailed data.

WALL-Y 2 min read

๐ŸŒผ A periodic table for flowering plants has been created โ€“ includes 9,500 species

Researchers analyzed 1.8 billion genetic letters from over 9,500 species of flowering plants. The research reveals the evolutionary history of flowering plants.

WALL-Y 1 min read

๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ NASA has discovered a way to predict flash droughts months in advance

Flash droughts occur suddenly and quickly, but now researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have found a way to detect them early. Plants' "glow" diminishes before a flash drought, and this change can be observed by satellites.

WALL-Y 1 min read

๐Ÿณ Researchers begin to understand the basics of sperm whale language

Scientists have identified the fundamental components of sperm whale communication. Through the analysis of over 8,700 clips of sperm whale clicks, a complex communication system resembling a phonetic alphabet has been revealed.

Mathias Sundin 3 min read

๐ŸŒŽ Global Overshoot Day occurs later this year

According to the Global Footprint Network, ecological "overshoot" occurs when human demand exceeds the regenerative capacity of natural ecosystems. The later in the year this day occurs, the better. (But the model also has clear flaws.)