In addition to storm surge along the Texas coast, Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring flooding to rivers and creeks inland. That’s raising new concerns about a dam that’s already damaged from flooding earlier this year. Watch the video to see where the problem is and how it could impact drinking water for millions of people. — Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com
Tech companies, including Amazon Web Services, are striking deals with U.S. nuclear power plants to secure electricity for their data centers, driven by the skyrocketing demands of artificial intelligence. This move promises 24/7 carbon-free power but stirs controversy, as it could divert existing energy supplies, raise prices, and increase reliance on natural gas. These nuclear-powered data centers might accelerate the AI race, but they also spark debates over economic development, grid reliability, and climate goals. Could this be the future of tech or a risky gamble with unforeseen consequences?
As reported by WSJ, tech businesses searching the country for electrical supplies have focused on one important target: America’s nuclear power facilities.
The owners of about one-third of the United States’ nuclear power reactors are in negotiations with technology companies about providing electricity to new data centers needed to satisfy the needs of an artificial intelligence boom.
When Google announced this week that its climate emissions had risen by 48 percent since 2019, it pointed the finger at artificial intelligence.
US tech firms are building vast networks of data centers across the globe and say AI is fueling the growth, throwing the spotlight on the amount of energy the technology is sucking up and its impact on the environment.
One of the key metrics for climate modeling is radiative forcing. Most climate models, including the general circulation models (GCMs), focus on the effects of different atmospheric factors on radiative forcing. However, there are still large uncertainties in satellite observations and multi-model simulations associated with some atmospheric factors.
Among them, clouds are a known source of uncertainty in GCMs, leading to radiative biases. However, another possible source of radiative uncertainty is associated with precipitation.
In principle, precipitating particles affect radiative forcing by disrupting incoming shortwave and outgoing longwave radiations. But most conventional GCMs in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) treat precipitation diagnostically and exclude the radiative effects of precipitation (REP). Extracting the magnitude of REP in climate models is challenging because of complicated atmosphere-ocean feedback and multi-model variabilities.
New research has unraveled the complex dynamics of the planetary boundary layer, enhancing satellite detection of atmospheric pollutants and aiding environmental management and climate modeling efforts.
A new study has provided groundbreaking insights into Earth’s planetary boundary layer (PBL), a crucial area that affects air quality and climate. By analyzing satellite data, researchers have explored how the temperature gradient from the surface to the atmosphere impacts the identification of atmospheric pollutants, offering a deeper understanding of atmospheric thermal contrasts (TC).
The endeavor to keep tabs on and curb air pollution has been stymied by the enigmatic nature of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). This atmospheric strip, in constant caresses with the Earth’s surface, is a hotbed for pollutants. Yet, its mercurial dance through time and across geographies presents a formidable scientific puzzle. Given these hurdles, an in-depth dissection of the thermal contrast (TC) that delineates this layer is imperative.
The Tesla Model Y has topped Sweden’s automotive registrations regardless of powertrain type in the first half of 2024, as shown in new data.
The Model Y was the most-registered vehicle in Sweden in the first six months of this year, according to data from Mobility Sweden reported by Carup on Monday. The Model Y topped the charts overall with 7,386 units registered, despite a 20 percent decline in overall EV sales. The Model 3 landed 14th overall in the six-month period, while electric options from Volvo, Toyota, Polestar, and Volkswagen were also some of the most registered.
“It is gratifying that the proportion of electric cars reached the best for the year in June, but at the same time we see a stagnant market, which leads to a gradually aging vehicle fleet,” said Mattias Bergman, CEO of Mobility Sweden. “In order to meet the climate goals and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness, it is crucial that electrification is accelerated.”
One county in Texas has issued a voluntary evacuation notice for some residents, as Hurricane Beryl hurtles towards the state.
The Category 4 storm that has killed at least seven people in the Caribbean, according to the Associated Press’ latest death toll, is forecast to hit Texas by this weekend.
RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau has shown for the first time, in a joint study with BOKU University, that permaculture brings about a significant improvement in biodiversity, soil quality and carbon storage.
In view of the challenges of climate change and species extinction, this type of agriculture proved to be a real alternative to conventional cultivation—and reconcile environmental protection and high yields.
Permaculture uses natural cycles and ecosystems as blueprint. Food is produced in an agricultural ecosystem that is as self-regulating, natural and diverse as possible. For example, livestock farming is integrated into the cultivation of crops or the diversity of beneficial organisms is promoted in order to avoid the use of mineral fertilizers or pesticides.
Scientists have found three new species that are close relatives to the plant from which chocolate is produced—a discovery that could pave the way for climate-proof chocolate. The team’s research has been published in the journal Kew Bulletin.
The new species, discovered in the rain forests of South America, are closely related to Theobroma cacao, the tree that bears cocoa beans which are of tremendous economic importance.
The research team comprising scientists from University College Cork (UCC), the University of São Paulo and New York Botanical Garden say their finding is significant as it indicates that there is much work still to be done in characterizing Earth’s biodiversity.
