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10-05-2025 om 23:32 geschreven door peter  

La Niña is dead — what that means for this year's hurricanes and weather

How will climate change impact ENSO patterns?

No one knows how climate change will affect ENSO patterns, but scientists are concerned about the warming oceans and atmosphere.

"Warmer air holds more water. It's fundamental," Becker said. "That's a factor in why we're seeing some hurricanes deposit unbelievable amounts of rain — it's partly due to the higher moisture capacity of the atmosphere."

Warm waters can extend a hurricane season or fuel storms farther north. Once envisioned as coastal threats, storms are increasingly driving inland. For example, Hurricane Helene devastated Appalachian communities hundreds of miles from the sea in 2024. "You're making a better and bigger sponge, and it gets wrung out somewhere," Di Liberto said. "And communities have to deal with incomprehensible amounts of rainfall and flooding."

However, our understanding of hurricanes is incomplete, Done said. Our observational record extends back less than 160 years — just a blink of geologic time. Scientists who have studied the geologic record of ancient cyclones have found evidence of stronger hurricanes making landfall in the distant past, often tied to periods of climate change.

If the present is the key to the past, the past nods back: Earth has seen worse — and with oceans warming fast, scientists warn it may only be a matter of time before historically unprecedented storms strike again.

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06-05-2025 om 23:15 geschreven door peter  

Atlantic ocean currents are weakening — and it could make the climate in some regions unrecognizable

Related: A long-lost ice sheet could predict the future of New York City — one in which Lower Manhattan and Coney Island are 'perpetually submerged'

To travel back south, surface waters in the North Atlantic must plunge down the water column and merge with bottom currents. Climate scientists say this sinking step is where the circulation is slowing down, because surface waters have to be very salty, and therefore very dense, to sink. But growing rivers of meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet and the Arctic are diluting the salt concentrations of surface waters, preventing them from plunging to the seafloor.

The warming hole that worries scientists is in a spot where the AMOC releases heat. Ocean temperatures there are lower than researchers would expect to see, given current global temperatures, if the AMOC were still going strong. That suggests heat transport from south to north has already declined.

And with climate change cooking the planet, there is a risk that more fresh water will pour into the North Atlantic, triggering a feedback loop that would accelerate the weakening of the AMOC. As ocean currents slow, the amount of salt reaching the North Atlantic may decrease, making it harder for already-diluted surface waters to sink.

"When you have a strong AMOC, it draws in salty water," David Thornalley, an ocean and climate scientist at University College London, told Live Science. "If you start to weaken the AMOC, less salty water gets drawn into the North Atlantic, and that then weakens the AMOC, and then it's a runaway process."

Defining "collapse"

The warming hole is one piece of evidence suggesting the AMOC has already weakened, but not everyone agrees.

The problem is that direct measurements of the AMOC's strength only go back to 2004, so researchers rely on indirect "fingerprints" — climate parameters they think are linked to the AMOC — to identify long-term trends in Atlantic circulation.

The trouble with fingerprints is that they give variable — and sometimes contradictory — results. For instance, a 2018 study suggested weakening, while research published in January suggests Atlantic currents have not declined over the past 60 years, though some scientists criticized the January study's data.

Regardless of whether Atlantic currents have already slowed, most scientists think they will in the future.

Should the circulation weaken significantly, "some pretty major changes are going to happen," Thornalley said, "and they're going to happen gradually over the 21st century."

For one, dwindling ocean currents will carry less heat to countries like Norway, Sweden and the U.K., leading to cooler temperatures in these regions. The amount of cooling will depend on how much strength the AMOC loses.

Climate models generate varying predictions, depending on what assumptions are baked into them, how sensitive they are to certain climate factors, and the data researchers feed the models. Some show a 10% reduction in the AMOC's strength, while others predict a decline closer to 50%, Marsh said.

"A 50% reduction would be far more substantial of an impact on our regional climate," Marsh said, adding that the resulting drop in temperature would disrupt industries that depend on the weather, such as farming. By comparison, "A 10% weakening of the AMOC would be noticeable, but manageable," he said. "It probably would make our weather a little less mild in the wintertime, in particular."

A complete collapse is unlikely, a study published in February found. Even if surface waters stop plunging in the North Atlantic, there are relatively constant factors, such as the wind, that drive the movement of water, Marsh said.

"A collapse, which is some hypothetical 100% failure of the [AMOC], just doesn't feel plausible to me," Marsh said. But the AMOC doesn't need to collapse to throw human lives and systems into chaos, he added.

"Really wild things"

Cooling in the North Atlantic and Northwest Europe could offset some of the warming from climate change — but that may not be a good thing, Marsh said. A drop in temperatures may alter atmospheric processes that drive storms and other weather events in these regions, he said.

Cooling in the North Atlantic won't directly make the U.S. East Coast colder, Marsh said. That's because weather in the Northeast is dictated more by the Arctic polar vortex, a ring of cold wind that circles the North Pole and traps frigid air near the Arctic. If this band becomes deformed or expands, which it sometimes does in the winter, chilly air escapes and sweeps over the Midwest and as far south as the Gulf.

But a weaker AMOC could alter the Arctic polar vortex, which would, in turn, affect the Northeast, Marsh said. The vortex is vulnerable to changes in climate, and recent evidence suggests the structure is already behaving strangely.

Direct impacts on the East Coast and Northwest Europe could also result from sea level rise. Sea levels in parts of the North Atlantic are currently 2.3 feet (70 centimeters) lower than they would be if the AMOC were weaker, because strong currents create uneven sea levels. If the AMOC weakens, water may redistribute itself and add to the sea level rise caused directly by global warming.

As the Northern Hemisphere cools, tropical and subtropical regions could also be thrown into chaos. Studies indicate that a colder North Atlantic would alter Earth's energy balance and trigger a southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a band of clouds that encircles the globe near the equator.

The moisture-laden ITCZ bobs up and down depending on Earth's position relative to the sun, bringing heavy rainfall and storms. It is responsible for monsoons — weather patterns with distinct wet and dry seasons — in South America, West Africa, India and East Asia.

Should the ITCZ shift southward, research suggests it would throw monsoons out of whack for at least 100 years. "Right now, we have these regions that are used to getting this very intense rainfall in their wet seasons," said Ben-Yami, the lead author of this research. Ecosystems are adapted to these downpours, and people depend on rainfall for agriculture, she said.

A southward shift of the ITCZ would lead to shorter and drier wet seasons in places like West Africa. These effects could persist for decades and severely disrupt life around the equator, Ben-Yami said. "Farmers somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, they need that rainfall," she said.

Shifts in rainfall would affect the Amazon rainforest, too. The effects may differ between the Northern and Southern parts, because the rainforest is so big that the southern part would still receive significant rainfall even if the ITCZ were to shift southward, Ben-Yami said.

But the northern Amazon rainforest — including parts of Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil — would experience longer and more intense dry seasons, which would be devastating for the region, she said.

Combined, the effects of a weakened AMOC could cost hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of dollars, Thornalley said. "It's a pretty global shift in climate — it would be very, very expensive," Thornalley told Live Science.

What's more, North Atlantic sediments from the last ice age (120,000 to 11,500 years ago) suggest that abrupt shifts in climate linked to the AMOC have occurred in the past.

"We know the climate can do really wild things," Thornalley said. "We know that really, really, really well."

Making predictions

Researchers say the AMOC will weaken significantly before 2100, but pinpointing exactly when the biggest change will happen is tricky.

Because direct measurements go back only 20 years, scientists often extrapolate from historical data to estimate when Atlantic currents might reach a tipping point. Tipping points are thresholds in some of Earth's systems that, once exceeded, can flip these systems from one stable state into a profoundly different one.

A good analogy to explain tipping points is a chair, Ben-Yami said. A chair is stable when it is standing on four legs or lying down; any position between these two is unstable. A person sitting on the chair can tip it backward slightly, but past a certain threshold, the chair tumbles to the ground.

An attention-grabbing study in 2023 concluded that the AMOC could reach a tipping point as early as this year. The authors used sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre between 1870 and 2020 to calculate fluctuations in the AMOC's resilience and strength. Their model suggested Atlantic currents are growing less resilient and weaker, to the point of possibly tipping before mid-century.

In a 2024 paper, however, Ben-Yami and other experts argued that there is too much uncertainty in data from before 2004 to predict when the AMOC might tip. "Once you take all these uncertainties into account, you don't get a practical prediction," she said.

Not having robust predictions is perhaps worse than knowing when the system will fail, because the future is so unclear, Ben-Yami said. "We should be even more careful" in the face of this uncertainty, she cautioned.

While some researchers are looking to the past for answers, others are searching for early warning signals that hold clues about future changes in the AMOC. One of these signals is the amount of fresh water flowing into the Atlantic at a latitude of 34 degrees south, near the tip of South Africa. Models suggest fresh water transport there will hit a minimum about 25 years before the AMOC reaches a tipping point, meaning experts could accurately predict shifts in the AMOC before the biggest changes occur.

But knowing about this minimum won't help anyone prevent the AMOC from weakening significantly, because it will be too late to reverse the driver — human-caused climate change — by the time the minimum is reached, said E.J.V. (Emma) Smolders, a doctoral student who specializes in AMOC early warning signals at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

"We're getting more and more worried," Smolders told Live Science, adding that her research group is trying to find other warning signals that will help scientists make predictions with more lead time to act.

Her group described one of these alternative signals in a study published to the preprint database arXiv in June 2024. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed yet, found that salinity in the Atlantic near the tip of South Africa may be a better indicator than fresh water of when the AMOC will weaken.

Based on patterns in this salt transport, Smolders and colleagues estimated that the AMOC will "collapse" around 2050, which agrees with previous, peer-reviewed research.

Looking for early warning signals is important, because "it could be that we need as much advanced knowledge as possible to prepare civilian, even military, assets" to deal with the consequences of AMOC weakening, Marsh said. These assets may be needed to shield infrastructure and communities from unpredictable weather, he said.

Ultimately, regardless of whether we know exactly when the AMOC will decline, the takeaway is the same, Marsh and others said: Stop global warming by slashing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.

The possibility that the AMOC could be approaching a tipping point "should be enough incentive, alongside knowing what the impact would be, for us to want to stop what we're doing," Thornalley said. "We might not be able to say exactly how long we've got left, but [the evidence] suggests we could have a tipping point, and we really want to avoid that."

• Editor's note: This article was updated at 5:14 E.D.T on April 25 to correct an error in the introduction. The blob in the North Atlantic is cold, not warm.
• This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.

{ https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth }

28-04-2025 om 00:27 geschreven door peter  

Microplastics have been in 'pristine streams' for half a century — what could that mean for human health?

"The inclusion of plastic in the casing of a caddisfly means plastic is entering the food chain," said lead study author Auke-Florian Hiemstra, a doctoral candidate in evolutionary ecology at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

"Many birds and fish eat these caddisfly larvae, and some swallow them including their casing," Hiemstra told Live Science in an email. "If caddisflies have been affected by microplastics for over half a century, that means the broader ecosystem is affected too."

Related: 

• Recycled black plastic can contain flame retardants, viral study found. That's still true — but their math was off

The casing specimens in the study are part of the natural history collections at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands. The researchers used a technique called energy dispersive X-ray analysis to reveal chemical elements and additives commonly associated with plastics inside the casings.

This provided a rare snapshot into the impact of microplastics on freshwater systems, which represent less than 4% of current studies on microplastics, Hiemstra said. Generally, the presence of microplastics in the 2000s is well documented, but the historical timeline of microplastic pollution has remained vague. This lack of historical data has made it difficult to assess how long ecosystems and human populations have been exposed to microplastics, thus complicating risk assessments and epidemiological studies.

So, how might this study change our understanding of the history of microplastic exposure and its potential impacts on human health?

Microplastics in nature and the body

Microplastics are tiny fragments of synthetic polymers that can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to degrade. They're defined as being between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters long. Today, they seem to be found virtually everywhere: in clouds, the air we breathe, food, drinking water, and human blood and breast milk. These particles stem from the breakdown of larger plastics, and in some cases, they are intentionally manufactured for use in certain cosmetics and cleaning products.

Research suggests that the human body clears out some larger microplastics measuring up to 150 micrometers long, while fragments smaller than 10 micrometers may be absorbed into tissues. But recent research suggests that some plastics in our bodies are even tinier than that.

While what qualifies as "nanoplastic" is still under debate, these ultrasmall particles are typically considered to be any plastic fragments smaller than 1 micrometer (or 1,000 nanometers) in diameter. A human hair, by comparison, is around 80,000 nanometers wide. Nanoplastics are small enough to potentially pass through cell membranes, studies suggest.

Matthew Campen, a toxicologist at the University of New Mexico, recently led a study that pointed to the presence of nanoplastics in human tissues. Using advanced, high-resolution imaging techniques, his team identified plastic fragments measuring no more than 200 nanometers in length — thin enough that they were translucent — in brain tissue from a few dozen organ donors.

After its publication, some of the analytical techniques used in the study were criticized, so the exact quantities of different types of plastic may be off, experts told Live Science. But by detecting nanoplastics, the findings expand upon previous work that relied on microscopes that could only detect particles up to 25 times larger.

That study, which included samples collected between 2016 and 2024, also suggested that later samples carried higher concentrations of plastics, and that the brains of individuals who died with dementia contained more plastic than healthy brains. These results raised questions about whether the public's plastic exposure has been increasing over time.

Hiemstra's new findings feed into that broader discussion and may have implications for how we understand the health risks of microplastics. If the pollutants have been present throughout the environment — not only near industrial sites — since the 1970s, that might reframe our understanding of where people have been exposed and for how long. Plastics not only accumulate in the environment, but also in the body, so better understanding the timeline and extent of exposure can help scientists unpack its long-term health outcomes.

As Hiemstra's study was focused on only the Netherlands, though, other work will need to be done to understand the history of microplastic pollution on a global scale.

Related: 

• 'Very concerning': Microplastics can accumulate in cancer cells and may help them spread, study hints

What do microplastics do to our bodies?

Scientists are still working to understand exactly how microplastics and the chemicals within plastics — such as phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — might affect our bodies, Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) who studies how pollutants affect reproductive and developmental health, told Live Science.

Early research has linked plastic exposure to the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease, lung disorders, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In each of these cases, the link is correlative, so it's not clear if or how the plastics might be contributing to the diseases. In addition, in lab-dish studies, some types of plastics appear to be relatively harmless, while others have been shown to kill human cells in vitro.

In 2024, Woodruff and her team at UCSF's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment published a systematic review of nearly 2,000 studies on the health effects of microplastics as part of a California state-commissioned report aimed at guiding policy decisions. The review identified potential health effects on respiratory, digestive and reproductive health, and particularly on sperm.

"While a link between chemicals in plastics and chronic diseases is clear, it's hard to separate the effects of the microplastic from its chemical additives," Woodruff noted.

She added that, "with rising cancer rates among younger people and increasing exposure [to microplastics] from early life, the potential long-term health risks — especially for those exposed in utero — remain a major concern," Woodruff said. Exposure to pollution is one of several competing theories for why the rates of certain cancers are rising in people under 50.

"More data will help address the uncertainty in the findings, but we're being exposed to [microplastics] right now, so it would be prudent to reduce exposures," Woodruff said.

While it's suspected that microplastics have negative impacts on human health, the World Health Organization emphasizes that the evidence for these effects is still limited and inconclusive.

"Our understanding of the potential harms of microplastic exposure is very preliminary at this stage," said Bernardo Lemos, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Arizona and an adjunct professor of environmental epigenetics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Lemos has led research to document the effects of microplastic exposure in humans and in model organisms, such as fruit flies, mice and fish.

"I am sure there will be many more studies documenting an abundance of microplastics in historical samples," Lemos told Live Science in an email. "It will be interesting to document how microplastics' abundance and quality change over decades." The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an intergovernmental organization, predicts that plastic production may triple by 2060.

Related: 

• Humans inhale a staggering amount of microplastic every week. Here's where it ends up

Is it possible to avoid microplastics?

While Woodruff noted it would be prudent to reduce microplastic exposure, it's unclear what levels of micro- and nanoplastics we're realistically taking in on a daily basis. "Plastics can degrade into smaller fragments, but they persist, so we're going to be exposed to them for a very long time," Woodruff said.

She suggested that, at the individual level, people can reduce their exposure to microplastics and the chemicals in them by consuming fewer ultraprocessed foods, which are more likely to come into contact with plastic than whole or less-processed foods. She also suggested that it may help to avoid plastic containers, bottles and packaging where possible.

"There is still so little known about the history of microplastics," Hiemstra said. But thanks to collections that include specimens like the caddisfly casings, we may have unknowingly collected more evidence than we thought about the early days of this pollutant.

Other natural history collections around the world may harbor even older casings with microplastics, he suggested, highlighting the untapped value of such collections as tools for environmental science. They may offer a way to establish historical baselines of microplastic pollution, which are still largely missing from the record and could help us trace the true health impact of plastics.

{ https://www.livescience.com/health }

27-04-2025 om 23:58 geschreven door peter  

• READ MORE: Terrifying 'doomsday' fish found on beach in Canary Islands

By JONATHAN CHADWICK FOR MAILONLINE 

One of nature's mightiest beasts has never before been documented in its natural environment – until now. 

Scientists have captured the first ever footage of a live colossal squid – the largest invertebrate on the planet. 

The stunning 4K video film, captured in the deep sea by California's Schmidt Ocean Institute, shows the rare creature's transparent body and eight pink tentacles. 

Colossal squid can grow up to 23 feet (7 metres) and weigh as much as 500kg, making them the heaviest invertebrate on the planet. 

But this specimen, which looks like a delicate glass sculpture, is just a 'teenager' – measuring 11 inches (30cm). 

Dying colossal squid adults have previously been filmed by fishermen, but the species has never been seen alive at depth before. 

Expedition chief scientist, Dr Michelle Taylor at the University of Essex, called the footage 'stunning' and 'beautiful'. 

'The squid is a teenager and none have ever been filmed alive before in their natural habitat, juvenile or adult,' she told MailOnline. 

This is the first confirmed live observation of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, in its natural habitat

The species can reach 23 feet (7 metres) in length, but this specimen is a baby - just 11 inches (30cm)

'Adults likely shy away from remotely operated vehicles; we probably caught this teenager unawares and its response was to sit very still and hope we weren’t a predator.' 

It comes 100 years after the first colossal squid specimens were found and described in 1925 – based on specimens from the stomach of a hunted sperm whale. 

This incredible new sighting occurred on March 9 this year during an expedition near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. 

Schmidt Ocean Institute's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian was at a depth of 1,968 feet (600 metres) as it was livestreaming the footage. 

However, those watching, including Dr Taylor, did not know the significance of what they were seeing on the screen. 

'At the time, not being a squid expert and regrettably having none on board the ship, we did not realise that we had seen a colossal squid,' Dr Taylor told MailOnline. 

'We knew it was a beautiful glass squid so paused on the descent to watch it; why would you not, it’s stunning.' 

Only later when a team of scientists including Dr Bolstad and Dr Aaron Evans, an independent squid expert, reviewed the footage could its identity be verified.

The colossal squid was first described in 1925 based on specimens from the stomach of a commercially hunted sperm whale. A century later, an international voyage captured the first confirmed video of this species in its natural habitat

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian, which captured the historic footage, is recovered onto Research Vessel Falkor (too)

Colossal squid can grow up to 23 feet (7 metres) and weigh as much as 500kg, making them the heaviest invertebrate on the planet

Distinguishing characteristics of colossal squid are hooks on the ends of the two long tentacles and in the middle of each of the eight shorter arms. 

When they saw the arm hooks, Dr Evans 'started hyperventilating', he told a press briefing announcing the footage on Tuesday. 

Fortunately no attempts to catch the creature and bring it to shore were made, unlike other colossal squid specimens.

Back in 2007, the largest recorded colossal squid, a female, was captured by a New Zealand fishing boat in the Ross Sea off Antarctica.

The squid was dying when it was captured and photographed before its corpse was taken back to New Zealand for scientific study.

Dr Taylor said seeing a live specimen in its natural habitat is so important because we get to observe finally observe its biology and ecology. 

'For example, see how it holds itself in the water column, how is moves, its behaviours – none of this is possible with dead specimens,' she said.  

As well as being the world's largest invertebrate, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is the world's largest squid species and a member of the glass squid family (scientifically known as 'Cranchiidae'). 

A preserved colossal squid on display at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington

Back in January, another expedition filmed the first confirmed footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica 

It is not to be confused with the giant squid (Architeuthis dux), which is similarly large and elusive but has been seen in its deep sea habitat before. 

Little is known about the colossal squid’s life cycle, but eventually, they lose the transparent appearance of the juveniles, as seen in this new clip. 

It comes shortly after the first confirmed footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, taken in January.  

G. glacialis is another glass squid species that has never been seen alive in its natural environment before – although adults only reach a maximum mantle length of 20 inches (50 cm). 

'The first sighting of two different squids on back-to-back expeditions is remarkable and shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the Southern Ocean,' said Dr Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s executive director.

'Fortunately, we caught enough high-resolution imagery of these creatures to allow the global experts, who were not on the vessel, to identify both species.'

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

19-04-2025 om 20:57 geschreven door peter  

Elusive colossal squid finally caught on camera 100 years after discovery in world 1st footage — and it's tiny

"It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," Kat Bolstad, a squid researcher at the the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, who was an independent scientific expert consulted to verify the footage, said in a statement. "For 100 years, we have mainly encountered them as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs and as predators of harvested toothfish."

Colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) are bigger than even the famous giant squid (Architeuthis dux). They are considered the largest invertebrates on the planet, measuring up to 46 feet (14 m) long — as long as a semitrailer — and weighing as much as 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms). They have the largest eyes of any known animal, which can measure up to 11 inches (27 cm) across — about the size of a soccer ball.

These bizarre creatures live deep beneath the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean. They live deeper and deeper with age, with the youngest and smallest squid being found down to about 1,640 feet (500 m), adolescents living between 1,600 and 6,600 feet (500 to 2,000 m), and fully grown adults living even deeper.

This year marks 100 years since the colossal squid was formally identified and named, but in the century since, very few have ever been seen. The species was first discovered after two of its arms were found in the stomach of a sperm whale during the winter of 1924-1925.

The new video is the first-ever live observation of this species in its natural habitat. Dying adult colossal squid have been filmed by fishermen, and the first complete specimen was captured in 2007 by a fishing vessel near Antarctica. Most of what we know about this species and its lifestyle comes from beaks found in sperm whale stomachs. Only 12 complete colossal squid specimens had ever been found as of 2015, and about half of those were juveniles.

The scientists on the previous Falkor expedition in January also filmed the first-ever confirmed footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis), which had also never been observed in its natural habitat before now.

"The first sighting of two different squids on back-to-back expeditions is remarkable and shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the Southern Ocean," Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute's executive director, said in the statement. "These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved."

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18-04-2025 om 21:10 geschreven door peter  

{ https://mysteriousuniverse.org/ }

14-04-2025 om 14:28 geschreven door peter  

The Future of Humanity: Will We Survive Our Own Extinction?

Introduction

Humanity stands at a critical juncture in its history. With advancements in technology, medicine, and understanding of the universe, we are at the pinnacle of our capabilities. Yet, these same advancements pose significant risks to our survival. The question arises: will we survive our own extinction? In this report, we will explore the various factors that threaten humanity’s existence, the potential for overcoming these challenges, and the role of collective action in shaping a sustainable future.

The Threats to Humanity

1. Nuclear Warfare

   One of the most pressing threats to humanity is the potential for nuclear war. The existence of nuclear weapons has created a precarious balance of power among nations, with the possibility of catastrophic conflict always looming. Historical events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, illustrate how close we have come to nuclear disaster. The proliferation of nuclear technology to unstable regimes further exacerbates this risk. The question of whether humanity can avoid self-destruction through diplomacy and disarmament remains a significant challenge.

2. Climate Change

   Climate change represents another existential threat. The overwhelming scientific consensus indicates that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are driving global warming. This leads to severe weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions in food and water supply. As natural disasters become more frequent and intense, the resulting humanitarian crises could overwhelm nations and lead to conflicts over increasingly scarce resources. The urgency of climate action cannot be overstated; without it, the future of humanity is uncertain.

3. Pandemics

   The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities in global public health systems. Emerging infectious diseases, exacerbated by factors such as urbanization, climate change, and global travel, pose significant risks. The possibility of a more deadly pathogen emerging in the future raises concerns about our preparedness and response capabilities. Investing in healthcare infrastructure and global cooperation is crucial to mitigating this threat.

4. Artificial Intelligence

   The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and risks. While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and improve quality of life, it also poses ethical and existential risks. The development of autonomous weapons, for instance, could lead to unintended conflicts. Moreover, superintelligent AI could potentially act in ways that are detrimental to humanity if not properly controlled. Establishing ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks for AI development is essential to ensure it serves humanity’s best interests.

5. Biodiversity Loss

   The loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change threatens the very ecosystems that support human life. The extinction of species can disrupt food chains and lead to the collapse of ecosystems. Protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of human survival. Sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fishing are vital to preserving the planet’s biological resources.

The Potential for Survival

Despite the myriad threats facing humanity, there is reason for hope. History has shown that when faced with existential challenges, humanity has the capacity for resilience and innovation. The following factors play a crucial role in our potential to overcome these challenges:

1. Technological Innovation

   Technology has the power to address many of the threats we face. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, can help mitigate climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Advances in biotechnology may lead to better disease prevention and treatment. Furthermore, innovations in AI can be harnessed to solve complex problems, provided they are developed responsibly.

2. Global Cooperation

   The interconnected nature of today’s world necessitates global cooperation. Issues like climate change and pandemics know no borders; therefore, collective action is essential. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, demonstrate that nations can come together to address shared challenges. Strengthening international institutions and fostering collaboration are key to ensuring a coordinated response to global threats.

3. Education and Awareness

   Raising awareness about the challenges facing humanity is crucial for mobilizing action. Education can empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions and advocate for sustainable practices. An informed populace is more likely to engage in democratic processes and hold leaders accountable for their actions. Promoting scientific literacy and critical thinking is vital for creating a society capable of addressing complex issues.

4. Resilience and Adaptation

   Humanity has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for resilience. Communities around the world have adapted to changing environments, developed coping strategies, and rebuilt after disasters. Building resilience involves investing in infrastructure, diversifying economies, and fostering social cohesion. By learning from past experiences and embracing adaptability, humanity can better navigate future challenges.

The Role of Individual Action

While systemic change is essential, individual actions also play a significant role in shaping the future. Each person can contribute to sustainability efforts through lifestyle choices, advocacy, and community engagement. Simple actions, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting local initiatives, can collectively make a significant impact. Encouraging a culture of sustainability and responsibility is crucial for fostering a sense of shared purpose.

Conclusion

The future of humanity hangs in the balance, and the question of whether we will survive our own extinction is both urgent and complex. The threats we face are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Through technological innovation, global cooperation, education, and individual action, we can work towards a sustainable future. The choices we make today will shape the trajectory of humanity for generations to come. It is imperative that we recognize our interconnectedness and take collective responsibility for the planet and each other. Only by addressing these challenges head-on can we hope to ensure the survival of humanity and create a world where future generations can thrive.

In the end, the fate of humanity is not predetermined; it is a reflection of our choices and actions. The path forward requires courage, collaboration, and a commitment to a shared vision of a sustainable and inclusive future. As we confront the challenges of our time, let us strive to be stewards of our planet and champions of a brighter tomorrow.

{ PETER2011 }

28-03-2025 om 00:41 geschreven door peter  

Science news this week: 'Stranded' astronauts return and mystery human ancestor

While much of the attention on them focused on the duo being "stranded" in space, it's not a sentiment the pair shared. In a conversation with CNN's Anderson Cooper, they explained how mission extensions are sometimes just part of the job.

They found that the ancestors of all modern humans split off from a mystery population 1.5 million years ago and then reconnected with them 300,000 years ago. This unknown population contributed 20% of our DNA and may have boosted humans' brain function.

"The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing, and it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined," study co-author Aylwyn Scally, a geneticist at the University of Cambridge, said in a statement.

Discover more archaeology news

• Mechanical Dog: A 'good boy' from ancient Egypt that has a red tongue and 'barks'
• European hunter-gatherers boated to North Africa during Stone Age, ancient DNA suggests
• 'Not enough survives to read the king's name': Tomb discovered of unknown ancient Egyptian pharaoh

Life's Little Mysteries

• What's the oldest lake on Earth?

Just like the mountains, lakes on Earth can be ancient, or more than 1 million years old. There are only 20 ancient lakes on the planet, but which is the oldest?

Largest-ever space map

• Largest-ever map of space reveals we might have gotten dark energy totally wrong

Astronomers studying the largest-ever map of the cosmos have found hints that our best understanding of the universe is due a major rewrite. The analysis, which looked at nearly 15 million galaxies and quasars spanning 11 billion years of cosmic time, found that dark energy — the presumed-to-be constant force driving the accelerating expansion of our universe — could be weakening.

Or at least this is what the data, collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), suggest when combined with information taken from star explosions, the cosmic microwave background and weak gravitational lensing. If the findings hold up, it means that one of the most mysterious forces controlling the fate of our universe is even weirder than first thought — and that something is very wrong with our current model of the cosmos.

Discover more astronomy news

• James Webb telescope spots 'rogue' planet with a cake-like atmosphere barrelling through space without a star
• Scientists find evidence of 'supernova graveyard' at the bottom of the sea — and possibly on the surface of the moon
• 'I was astonished': Ancient galaxy discovered by James Webb telescope contains the oldest oxygen scientists have ever seen

Also in science news this week

• Google's AI 'co-scientist' cracked 10-year superbug problem in just 2 days
• AI analysis of 100 hours of real conversations — and the brain activity underpinning them — reveals how humans understand language
• Scientists create new map showing ice-free Antarctica in more detail than ever before
• Iguanas sailed one-fifth of the way around the world on rafts 34 million years ago
• Punishing AI doesn't stop it from lying and cheating — it just makes it hide better, study shows

Science spotlight

• Simple blood tests could be the future of cancer diagnosis

Around four years ago, now 77-year-old John Gormly went for what was supposed to be a routine blood test. But the results were life-changing.

The test suggested Gormly had colon cancer, which a colonoscopy later confirmed was Stage 2, meaning the cancer had spread through the wall of the colon but not to his lymph nodes.

"I thought [my doctor] was wrong," Gormly, CEO of a construction company near Newport Beach, California, told Live Science. "I go, 'Nah, I don't feel anything.' But there it was. It was real; the colonoscopy showed it."

Gormly was one of the first patients to take a newly approved test called Shield, which its makers say can detect colon cancer from a blood sample. After his diagnosis, Gormly had surgery to remove the tumor and was back at work within 10 days.

"Liquid biopsies" like the one that detected early cancer for Gormly are now coming to market. Could they lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment?

Something for the weekend

Something for the weekend

If you're looking for something a little longer to read over the weekend, here are some of the best long reads, book excerpts and interviews published this week.

• March 29 solar eclipse: Where and when to see the rare sunrise solar eclipse from North America (Skywatching)
• Dolphins: Facts about the intelligent marine mammals that use tools to hunt (Fact file)
• 'Heat is the final boss. Heat is a different beast': The planetary peril no one will be able to avoid (Book extract)
• 'We have to fight for a better end': Author John Green on how threats to USAID derail the worldwide effort to end tuberculosis (Interview)

Science in motion

• Octopus spotted riding on top of world's fastest shark

An octopus has been spotted catching a ride from an unlikely marine friend: a superfast shark. Researchers captured a video showing the orange-hued octopus clinging to the back of a large shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) as it swims. This "sharktopus" was spotted in the Hauraki Gulf off the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island during a December 2023 research trip.

{ https://www.livescience.com/space }

22-03-2025 om 21:07 geschreven door peter  

Turning a sonic boom into a “gentle thump”

As incredible as the Concorde was — it once zipped from New York to London in two hours and 52 minutes — it was also incredibly noisy. The sonic boom it created was so loud that the aircraft was forbidden from flying over land while going supersonic. Even today, while some military aircraft can travel faster than the speed of sound, civilian planes, because of noise, haven’t been able to exceed Mach 1 — the speed of sound — over land in the U.S. since the FAA banned it in 1973.

That’s where the X-59 comes in. It will ideally be able to fly faster than the speed of sound, but won’t make a traditional sonic boom when it does so. The X-59 is the centerpiece of a NASA program called Quesst. That program has one overarching goal: to gather data about how people on the ground react when the X-59 passes overhead at supersonic speeds, which it will hopefully accomplish in a quieter manner than a traditional supersonic aircraft. Instead of a disconcerting boom, crack, or bang sound, the X-59 will ideally make a “gentle thump sound,” says Peter Coen, NASA’s Quesst mission integration manager. When a plane flies at supersonic speeds, the aircraft generates shock waves that join up and form two bigger waves. The X-59’s design, NASA hopes, will prevent shockwaves from forming in such a dramatic and loud way.

It will do this thanks to specific aspects of its physical shape that should help the aircraft slice through the air without creating shockwaves that merge. For example, the plane has a very sleek long nose, and it doesn’t even have a windshield — the pilots will rely on a camera and monitor system instead to see in front of them. No windshield means no surface for the air to pile up against.

The plan is for it to start flying this year, although its initial flights will be slower than the speed of sound. If it is indeed quiet enough that people on the ground tolerate the sound once it does start going supersonic, the data gathered by NASA via the X-59 could hopefully lead to changes both in the U.S. and internationally that would allow for quieter supersonic flight over land. “We want to replace the speed limit with a sound limit,” says Coen.

But others aren’t so sure this will all work. If commercial supersonic does make a comeback, “it’s going to be extraordinarily controversial,” says Janet Bednarek, a professor at the University of Dayton who has a specialty in aviation history. She cites environmental concerns, price accessibility, and the public’s sensitivity to noise as potential issues — even if the noise is indeed quieter, like the thump sound that NASA is hoping for. “I’m skeptical,” she says as to whether people will accept a sound that’s more thump-like than boom-like.

The X-59 may be nearly 100 feet long, but it seats just one person: a test pilot. So while it will never carry passengers, perhaps its design will influence aircraft makers to create larger aircraft that could hold scores of people. “My hope, and NASA’s hope, is that eventually, this will lead to larger civil aircraft products — something the size of the Concorde or larger, that can perform supersonic overland operations as part of their design,” Coen adds. The Concorde carried around 100 people.

NASA is taking a slow and deliberate approach to the X-59 and its subsequent tests: They hope to be able to present data to an international aviation committee well in advance of a 2031 meeting so that at that event in nine years, its members might agree on a new permissible sound limit for supersonic flight.

Plight of the Concorde

But a handful of companies are charging ahead now, focused on creating new ways for passengers to fly at ultra-fast speeds in aircraft that would still create sonic booms as they flew, and would thus have to operate supersonically on routes over water, just like Concorde.

The most prominent outfit tackling this is called Boom Supersonic, which is working on a plane they’ve dubbed Overture. Overture, if it enters service, would seat up to 80 passengers, and fly at 1.7 times the speed of sound. (The company hopes that the aircraft’s first flight is in 2027.) “At Boom, we’re guided by one audacious mission, and that’s to make the world dramatically more accessible,” Kathy Savitt, the company’s president and chief business officer, said at an event in 2022 when announcing that Boom would build its Overture jets in Greensboro, North Carolina.

That sentiment is the big reason behind the push for supersonic commercial flight — that the world would be a better place, and smaller, if we could get to its far-flung corners more quickly. “If you can spend less time traveling, you can spend more time at the place where you were going, doing what you have to, or want to, do,” Coen, of NASA, says. Or perhaps you venture somewhere you wouldn’t otherwise have visited, because the travel time is faster.

“Technically, we could do it today, I think that’s pretty clear,” says William Crossley, the head of Purdue University’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. “We’d be limited on where you can fly, based on the rules about flying supersonically — there’s, rightly so, a great concern about the noise from sonic booms.” What that means is that unless a supersonic aircraft incorporates sound-mitigating lessons from NASA’s X-59, it’s going to have to operate over water when cruising at Mach 1 or higher.

A big concern, he adds, is the cost of a ticket. “Economically, it’s going to be a really difficult proposition to make it inexpensive enough for lots of people to use it,” Crossley says. One of the main reasons for that is that flying at supersonic speeds requires more fuel since the aircraft experiences more drag from the air around it as it goes faster. “The drag on the aircraft rises really quickly as you go to the speed of sound, and then once you get past it, it actually drops off — but it’s never as low as it is when you fly below the speed of sound,” he explains. More drag, more fuel, more cost, higher ticket prices.

Jon Ostrower, the editor-in-chief of The Air Current, a website focused on aviation and aerospace news and analysis, echoes Crossley. The issue boils down to “a passenger’s willingness to pay more to fly faster,” he says. That’s different from what people pay more for today, which is the comfort, service, and status that comes with an upgrade to business or first class. You don’t get there faster, but the experience is better than it would be in economy. Maybe the time even feels like it went by quicker.

“I think it’s really important to remember that the most single durable trend in all of aviation is not speed but efficiency and cost,” Ostrower adds. He says this trend applies to both mainstream airlines and budget carriers — it’s all about “reducing cost of operation.”

“The question is,” he adds, “is that trend breakable?”

Faster than a speeding bullet

Concorde, although a product of 20th-century aviation technology, offers clues about what supersonic flight for civilians could be like if it comes back. It could actually fly twice the speed of sound, at more than 1,000 miles per hour. It cruised much higher in altitude than commercial planes do today — at 58,000 or even 60,000 feet. (Boom says Overture will also fly at 60,000 feet.) And Concorde was not for everyone. Its former chief pilot, Mike Bannister, noted in a book he wrote about flying the aircraft that “Many passengers told me that Concorde was just like a club — albeit a very exclusive one.” He estimated their passengers were typically 80 percent business travelers.

Tickets on Concorde could cost as much as $12,000 or so for a round-trip fare.

Boom’s Overture aircraft aims to fly at 1.7 times the speed of sound, and Concorde zipped along at Mach 2, but others are looking at something even more rarefied and extreme: hypersonic flight. Hypersonic refers to traveling at five times the speed of sound or more, and a company called Hermeus is one of the firms chasing that kind of travel. “Long-term vision: Radically accelerate air travel with Mach-5 aircraft. So, cross the Atlantic Ocean in 90 minutes and then a little under three hours across the Pacific,” says AJ Piplica, the founder and CEO of the company. He says that this kind of ultra-zippy travel could lead to “a significant amount of social and economic growth at a global scale” and is “one of the big knobs you can turn for improving humanity.”

Hermeus is turning littler knobs before trying to turn the passenger-flight hypersonic one, though. It is starting with uncrewed aircraft called Quarterhorse and Darkhorse; the plane that could carry people someday is called Halcyon. Piplica thinks that both supersonic and hypersonic passenger flight could be a real thing in the “early 2030s.”

Halcyon wouldn’t even have regular windows. “Windows at very high speeds are very, very hard,” he says; that’s because of the heat the aircraft experiences at those speeds. He thinks that augmented reality could solve the problem by piping in an outside view to a headset in lieu of windows. “Literally, just wear a Vision Pro,” he says. (He adds that the plane will have “at least one window.”)

“Aviation tends to have a lot of sticky dreams...we can get anywhere in an hour — really, really fast. And the people who are in aviation just don’t want to give up on those dreams.”

As for cost, he thinks the goal will be for them to produce an aircraft system that “can be operated profitably at business-class prices.” Likewise, Boom is aiming to have airlines charge “fares similar to first and business class,” a spokesperson says by email. It’s a tough field: another company, Aerion, had hoped to build a supersonic business jet, but it folded in 2021.

“Aviation tends to have a lot of sticky dreams,” the University of Dayton’s Janet Bednarek says, with one of those recurring dreams being that “we can get anywhere in an hour — really, really fast. And the people who are in aviation just don’t want to give up on those dreams.”

The dream is easy to understand, though. The Concorde once flew from New York to London in two hours and about 52 minutes, a record. Compare that to today’s average flight time for the same route in the same direction: a pokey six hours and 13 minutes, according to Flightradar24.

“There actually is value in going that fast,” reflects Crossley, of Purdue University, about supersonic travel in general. “I think making the world smaller is a really big deal.” And if it happens, it will probably be something that people have to pay for in big ways.

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

20-03-2025 om 21:41 geschreven door peter  

Watch enormous deep-sea spiders crawl around sub-Antarctic seafloor

By Pandora Dewan 

The giant sea spiders can have leg spans of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters).

There are roughly 1,500 known species of sea spider, with some measuring up to 20 inches in leg span. 

(Image credit: Science History Images/Alamy)

Scientists have captured stunning video of a dinner-plate-size sea spider crawling on the seafloor off the South Sandwich Islands, a chain of volc

Sea spiders, also known as pycnogonids, are distant cousins of the creepy-crawly arachnids we see scuttling about on land. These creatures can have leg spans of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) — nearly double those of the largest land spiders, whose leg spans top out at around 12 inches (30 cm).

According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which shared the footage, the spider's massive size is a result of deep-sea gigantism, the tendency for deep-sea creatures to grow significantly larger than their shallow-water relatives. In this case, the pycnogonid was filmed at a depth of 6,903 feet (2,104 meters).

Related: 

• 32 truly bizarre deep-sea creatures

"Immense pressure and frigid temperatures, while insurmountable obstacles to land-lovers like humans, allow some animals to have very slow metabolisms and the ability to reach gargantuan proportions," Schmidt Ocean Institute representatives wrote in a Facebook post.

Larger animals can also move faster and farther to find food or to locate a mate, which is important when both are scarce.

Deep-sea gigantism is particularly prevalent toward the poles, where freezing temperatures facilitate slower metabolisms. Schmidt Ocean Institute representatives described sea spiders as both "abundant" and "abundantly large" in polar regions.

There are roughly 1,500 species of sea spider known to science and likely many more yet to be discovered, according to the post. Sea spiders inhabit oceans around the world and range just a few millimeters to the size of a serving platter. The species of spider in the video from the Schmidt Ocean Institute has not been specified.

The largest members of this group are usually found at depths between 7,200 and 13,100 feet (2,200 to 4,000 m), according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

Instead of spinning webs or creating burrows as land spiders do, sea spiders use a specialized tube-like mouth structure, called a proboscis, to slurp up prey such as sea anemones, jellies and other invertebrates.

This latest footage was taken by remotely operated vehicle pilots as part of the Schmidt Ocean Institute's South Sandwich Islands expedition, a mission to locate and describe new species in these frigid waters. According to the institute, scientists have discovered only 10% of ocean life.

{ https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth }

20-03-2025 om 18:37 geschreven door peter  

Het is Tijd om te Stoppen met Verbaasd te Zijn over Verrassend Weer: Een Wetenschappelijke Analyse

De wereld heeft de afgelopen decennia een opmerkelijke toename in extreme weersomstandigheden ervaren, variërend van ongebruikelijke hittegolven en zware regenval tot intense stormen en droogtes. Dit fenomeen roept de vraag op waarom we nog steeds verrast zijn door deze 'verrassende' weersomstandigheden, vooral gezien de wetenschappelijke consensus rond klimaatverandering. Deze analyse onderzoekt de relatie tussen klimaatverandering en extreme weersomstandigheden, de rol van media en publieke perceptie, en de noodzaak van aanpassingen in de manier waarop we over weer en klimaat denken.

1. De Wetenschap van Klimaatverandering

Klimaatverandering verwijst naar langdurige veranderingen in temperatuur en weerspatronen op aarde. Wetenschappelijke studies, waaronder die van het Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), tonen aan dat menselijke activiteiten, zoals de verbranding van fossiele brandstoffen en ontbossing, de belangrijkste drijfveren zijn van de opwarming van de aarde. Dit leidt tot veranderingen in de atmosfeer, oceanen en landoppervlakken, wat op zijn beurt extreme weersomstandigheden kan veroorzaken. De gevolgen van deze veranderingen zijn verstrekkend en beïnvloeden ecosystemen, menselijke gezondheid, voedselzekerheid en economieën wereldwijd.

1.1. Mechanismen van Extreme Weersomstandigheden

Extreme weersomstandigheden zijn het resultaat van complexe interacties tussen verschillende meteorologische factoren. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de toename van de gemiddelde temperatuur, die leidt tot meer verdamping van water en intensere regenval. Deze veranderingen kunnen resulteren in overstromingen en andere natuurrampen die gemeenschappen zwaar kunnen belasten. Evenzo kunnen veranderingen in de zeetemperatuur de frequentie en intensiteit van orkanen beïnvloeden. Warmer zeewater biedt meer energie voor stormen, wat leidt tot krachtigere en destructievere orkanen.

Daarnaast kunnen veranderingen in windpatronen en atmosferische druksystemen ook bijdragen aan extreme weersomstandigheden. De verschuiving van de jetstream, bijvoorbeeld, kan leiden tot langdurige periodes van droogte in sommige gebieden en overmatige neerslag in andere. Dit soort extremen is niet alleen een bedreiging voor de natuur, maar heeft ook directe gevolgen voor de landbouw, infrastructuur en menselijke gezondheid. Het is essentieel dat we deze mechanismen begrijpen om te erkennen dat wat we nu als 'verrassend' beschouwen, steeds vaker zal voorkomen.

1.2. De Rol van de Mens

De rol van de mens in klimaatverandering kan niet genoeg worden benadrukt. De verbranding van fossiele brandstoffen voor energie, vervoer en industrie is de grootste bron van broeikasgasemissies, met name kooldioxide (CO2) en methaan (CH4). De uitstoot van deze gassen leidt tot een versterking van het broeikaseffect, wat de aarde opwarmt. Ontbossing, een andere belangrijke factor, vermindert de hoeveelheid CO2 die door bomen en andere planten kan worden opgenomen. Hierdoor komt er meer CO2 in de atmosfeer, wat de opwarming verder versnelt.

Daarnaast zijn er ook andere menselijke activiteiten die bijdragen aan klimaatverandering. Landbouwpraktijken, zoals het gebruik van kunstmest en het houden van vee, stoten aanzienlijke hoeveelheden broeikasgassen uit. De productie van voedsel en de bijbehorende logistiek dragen ook bij aan de uitstoot van CO2 en andere schadelijke gassen. Het begrijpen van deze oorzaken is cruciaal voor het ontwikkelen van effectieve strategieën om de impact van klimaatverandering te verminderen.

1.3. Gevolgen van Klimaatverandering

De gevolgen van klimaatverandering zijn al zichtbaar en zullen naar verwachting in de toekomst verergeren. Eén van de meest zorgwekkende gevolgen is de stijging van de zeespiegel, veroorzaakt door het smelten van gletsjers en ijskappen, evenals de thermische uitzetting van water bij hogere temperaturen. Dit bedreigt laaggelegen kustgebieden en kan leiden tot grootschalige verplaatsingen van mensen en verlies van land.

Daarnaast heeft klimaatverandering invloed op de biodiversiteit. Veel soorten kunnen zich niet snel genoeg aanpassen aan de veranderende omstandigheden, wat leidt tot uitsterven en verstoring van ecosystemen. Dit heeft niet alleen gevolgen voor de natuur, maar ook voor de mensen die afhankelijk zijn van deze ecosystemen voor voedsel, water en andere hulpbronnen.

Extreme weersomstandigheden, zoals hittegolven, droogtes en zware stormen, brengen ook aanzienlijke risico's met zich mee voor de volksgezondheid. Hittegolven kunnen leiden tot een verhoogde sterfte onder kwetsbare bevolkingsgroepen, terwijl de verspreiding van ziekten door insecten zoals muggen kan toenemen door warmer weer en veranderende neerslagpatronen.

1.4. Aanpassing en Mitigatie

Om de gevolgen van klimaatverandering aan te pakken, zijn zowel aanpassing als mitigatie (Mitigatie is een term die vaak wordt gebruikt in de context van risico- en milieubeheer. Het verwijst naar het proces van het verminderen of verzachten van de ernst of impact van een probleem, risico of negatieve gevolgen. In het geval van klimaatverandering bijvoorbeeld, kan mitigatie inhouden dat er maatregelen worden genomen om de uitstoot van broeikasgassen te verminderen, zoals het bevorderen van hernieuwbare energiebronnen of het verbeteren van energie-efficiëntie. Het doel van mitigatie is om de schade die kan ontstaan door bepaalde risico's of negatieve effecten te beperken.)  noodzakelijk. Aanpassing houdt in dat we ons aanpassen aan de onvermijdelijke gevolgen van klimaatverandering, zoals het verbeteren van de infrastructuur om overstromingen te weerstaan of het ontwikkelen van droogtebestendige gewassen. Dit vereist samenwerking tussen overheden, gemeenschappen en bedrijven om effectieve strategieën te implementeren die de kwetsbaarheid verminderen.

Mitigatie daarentegen richt zich op het verminderen van de uitstoot van broeikasgassen en het verminderen van de impact van menselijke activiteiten op het klimaat. Dit kan worden bereikt door de overstap naar hernieuwbare energiebronnen, zoals zonne- en windenergie, en door het bevorderen van energie-efficiëntie. Daarnaast is het belangrijk om duurzame landbouwpraktijken te implementeren en ontbossing tegen te gaan.

1.5. De Rol van Technologie en Innovatie

Technologie en innovatie spelen een cruciale rol in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering. Nieuwe technologieën kunnen helpen bij het verminderen van emissies en het verbeteren van de efficiëntie van energieverbruik. Bijvoorbeeld, elektrische voertuigen en slimme energienetwerken kunnen bijdragen aan een duurzamer transportsysteem en energiebeheer.

Bovendien kunnen innovaties in carbon capture en opslag (CCS) bijdragen aan het verminderen van de hoeveelheid CO2 in de atmosfeer. Door CO2 af te vangen bij de bron en het veilig op te slaan, kunnen we de impact van fossiele brandstoffen verder verminderen. De ontwikkeling van alternatieve eiwitbronnen, zoals plantaardige en kweekvlees, kan ook helpen om de ecologische voetafdruk van de voedselproductie te verkleinen.

1.6. De Kracht van Samenwerking

Klimaatverandering is een wereldwijd probleem dat samenwerking op alle niveaus vereist. Internationale verdragen, zoals het Klimaatakkoord van Parijs, zijn essentieel om landen te verenigen in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering. Dit akkoord stelt doelstellingen vast voor de vermindering van broeikasgasemissies en stimuleert landen om hun inspanningen te intensiveren.

Daarnaast is het belangrijk dat lokale gemeenschappen en bedrijven ook betrokken worden bij de mitigatie- en aanpassingsstrategieën. Educatie en bewustwording zijn cruciaal om individuen aan te moedigen duurzame keuzes te maken en bij te dragen aan de oplossing. Het creëren van een cultuur van duurzaamheid en verantwoordelijkheidsbesef helpt niet alleen bij het aanpakken van klimaatverandering, maar versterkt ook de sociale cohesie en veerkracht van gemeenschappen.

1.7. Conclusie

Klimaatverandering is een complex en urgent probleem dat diepgaande gevolgen heeft voor onze planeet en de mensen die erop leven. Het begrijpen van de mechanismen achter klimaatverandering en extreme weersomstandigheden is essentieel voor het ontwikkelen van effectieve strategieën om deze uitdagingen aan te gaan. Door middel van samenwerking, technologie en innovatieve benaderingen kunnen we werken aan een duurzame toekomst. Het is van vitaal belang dat we nu handelen om de gevolgen voor toekomstige generaties te beperken en ervoor te zorgen dat onze aarde een leefbare plek blijft voor iedereen.

Trajecten van tropische cyclonen in de Noord-Atlantische Oceaan van 1851 tot 2019

(Bron: Niilfanion)

2. Publieke Perceptie en Media

De manier waarop het publiek reageert op extreme weersomstandigheden is vaak beïnvloed door mediarepresentaties en culturele percepties. Wanneer een ongewoon weerfenomeen zich voordoet, kan de media het sensationeel presenteren, wat leidt tot een tijdelijke golf van verontwaardiging en verbazing. Deze sensationele berichtgeving heeft de potentie om de publieke perceptie te vervormen en een gevoel van schok te creëren dat niet in overeenstemming is met de wetenschappelijke realiteit. Bij extreme weersomstandigheden zoals orkanen, overstromingen of hittegolven zien we vaak dat de media de dramatiek van de situatie benadrukken. Dit kan leiden tot angst en bezorgdheid, maar ook tot een kortstondige interesse in het onderwerp.

In de huidige digitale tijdperk wordt deze dynamiek verder versterkt door sociale media. Berichten verspreiden zich in een razendsnel tempo en mensen delen hun ervaringen en reacties, vaak zonder dat ze de tijd nemen om de feiten te verifiëren. Dit kan resulteren in een sneeuwbaleffect van verkeerde informatie en sensatiezucht. Het gevolg is dat de publieke perceptie van extreme weersomstandigheden vaak gebaseerd is op emotie en niet op feitelijke kennis.

2.1. De Rol van de Media

Media spelen een cruciale rol in het vormgeven van de publieke perceptie van weer en klimaat. Sensationele berichtgeving over extreme weersomstandigheden kan bijdragen aan een kortstondige opwinding, maar leidt vaak niet tot diepgaand begrip van de onderliggende wetenschappelijke principes. Dit creëert een kloof tussen wetenschappelijke kennis en publieke bewustwording. Wanneer de media zich richten op de meest schokkende of verontrustende aspecten van een weerfenomeen, kan dit ertoe leiden dat de complexiteit van klimaatverandering en de verschillende factoren die bijdragen aan extreme weersomstandigheden worden genegeerd.

Bijvoorbeeld, in de berichtgeving over een zware storm wordt vaak de focus gelegd op de schade en de onmiddellijke gevolgen voor de bevolking. De oorzaak van de storm, zoals klimaatverandering, wordt zelden in detail besproken. Dit kan een vertekend beeld creëren van de relatie tussen menselijk handelen en de natuur. Het publiek krijgt daardoor een onvolledig beeld van de situatie, wat het moeilijk maakt om weloverwogen beslissingen te nemen over bijvoorbeeld noodmaatregelen of duurzaam gedrag.

Bovendien kunnen media-instanties soms terugvallen op clichématige beelden en verhalen die niet de diversiteit en nuance van de werkelijkheid weergeven. Het gebruik van stereotype beelden kan ook bijdragen aan een simplistisch begrip van de gevolgen van extreme weersomstandigheden. Zo worden mensen in kwetsbare gemeenschappen vaak afgebeeld als passieve slachtoffers, terwijl zij in werkelijkheid actief betrokken zijn bij hun eigen hulp en herstel. Dit kan de publieke perceptie verder vervormen en leiden tot een gebrek aan empathie en begrip voor de complexiteit van de situatie.

2.2. De Impact van Sociale Media

Sociale media hebben de dynamiek van de berichtgeving over extreme weersomstandigheden veranderd. Platforms zoals Twitter, Facebook en Instagram stellen gebruikers in staat om informatie in real-time te delen, wat kan leiden tot een snellere verspreiding van nieuws. Hoewel dit positieve aspecten heeft, zoals het vergroten van het bereik van belangrijke informatie, kan het ook de verspreiding van desinformatie bevorderen. De snelheid waarmee berichten worden gedeeld, maakt het moeilijk om feiten van fictie te onderscheiden.

Bovendien kunnen virale berichten en memes de publieke perceptie verder beïnvloeden. Wanneer een bericht of afbeelding viraal gaat, kan dit de aandacht van het publiek afleiden van de feitelijke situatie en in plaats daarvan leiden tot een focus op sensationele of komische elementen. Dit kan de ernst van de situatie bagatelliseren en het publiek een vertekend beeld geven van de realiteit. Het gebruik van humor of sarcasme kan in sommige gevallen een copingmechanisme zijn, maar het kan ook bijdragen aan een gebrek aan urgentie in de manier waarop mensen extreme weersomstandigheden en de gevolgen daarvan benaderen.

2.3. Oplossingen voor een Betere Informatievoorziening

Om de kloof tussen wetenschappelijke kennis en publieke perceptie te verkleinen, is het essentieel dat media verantwoordelijk omgaan met hun berichtgeving over extreme weersomstandigheden en klimaatverandering. Dit kan onder andere door het aanbieden van diepgaandere analyses en het betrekken van experts bij de berichtgeving. Media kunnen ook educatieve campagnes opzetten om de complexiteit van klimaatverandering beter uit te leggen en het publiek te informeren over de oorzaken en gevolgen van extreme weersomstandigheden.

Daarnaast is het belangrijk dat het publiek zelf kritisch leert omgaan met informatie, vooral op sociale media. Onderwijs over mediawijsheid en het belang van feitelijke verificatie kan bijdragen aan een beter begrip van de werkelijkheid. Door het publiek te stimuleren om verder te kijken dan sensationele koppen en om bronnen te controleren, kan de algehele perceptie van extreme weersomstandigheden en klimaatverandering verbeteren. Op deze manier kan de rol van de media in het informeren van het publiek niet alleen bijdragen aan een beter begrip, maar ook aan een actievere betrokkenheid bij het aanpakken van klimaatgerelateerde uitdagingen.

3. De Psychologie van Verrassing

Mensen zijn van nature geneigd om te reageren op verrassingen met verbazing en ontkenning. Dit psychologische mechanisme kan worden verklaard door cognitieve biases zoals het 'normalcy bias', waarbij individuen de waarschijnlijkheid van ongebruikelijke gebeurtenissen onderschatten. Het idee dat 'dit niet kan gebeuren in mijn leven' leidt tot een gebrek aan voorbereiding en een onvermogen om de ernst van de situatie te erkennen. Wanneer mensen geconfronteerd worden met onverwachte gebeurtenissen, zoals natuurrampen, pandemieën of economische crises, kunnen ze vaak niet direct de impact van deze gebeurtenissen begrijpen. Dit leidt tot een vertraging in de reactie en kan de gevolgen verergeren.

De normalcy bias kan ook voortkomen uit een diepgeworteld verlangen naar stabiliteit en voorspelbaarheid. Mensen zijn sociale wezens die gebaat zijn bij routine en structuur. Wanneer deze structuren plotseling worden verstoord, kan dit leiden tot een gevoel van onbehagen en desoriëntatie. De neiging om terug te vallen op vertrouwde denkpatronen kan voorkomen dat individuen zich aanpassen aan nieuwe realiteiten. Dit is bijzonder problematisch in tijden van crisis, waar snel handelen en flexibiliteit essentieel zijn voor overleving en herstel.

3.1. Het Gevoel van Controle

Mensen willen vaak een gevoel van controle over hun omgeving, en het idee van een 'normaal' klimaat biedt deze illusie. Wanneer dat 'normale' klimaat wordt verstoord door extreme weersomstandigheden, zoals hittegolven, overstromingen of orkanen, kan dit leiden tot angst en verwarring. De ervaring van het verliezen van controle over de eigen omgeving kan traumatisch zijn en heeft vaak diepgaande psychologische gevolgen. Het is cruciaal dat individuen de nieuwe realiteit van een veranderend klimaat erkennen om zich aan te passen en veerkracht te ontwikkelen.

Er is een sterke correlatie tussen de perceptie van controle en psychologisch welzijn. Wanneer mensen het gevoel hebben dat ze invloed hebben op hun situatie, zijn ze geneigd om proactiever te reageren op bedreigingen. Dit kan zich uiten in het nemen van preventieve maatregelen, zoals het aanleggen van noodvoorraden of het volgen van weerberichten. Aan de andere kant, wanneer mensen zich machteloos voelen, kan dit leiden tot angst, depressie en zelfs apathie. Dit gebrek aan controle kan hen weerhouden van het ondernemen van noodzakelijke stappen om zichzelf en hun gemeenschappen te beschermen.

3.2. De Rol van Sociale Media

In de moderne wereld speelt sociale media een cruciale rol in hoe mensen informatie ontvangen en verwerken, vooral in tijden van crisis. De snelheid waarmee informatie zich verspreidt kan zowel een zegen als een vloek zijn. Aan de ene kant kunnen mensen snel op de hoogte worden gebracht van gevaarlijke situaties, terwijl ze aan de andere kant ook worden blootgesteld aan een overvloed aan desinformatie. Deze desinformatie kan de reeds bestaande cognitieve biases versterken, waardoor het nog moeilijker wordt om de ernst van een situatie te erkennen.

Bovendien kunnen sociale media ook leiden tot een gevoel van groepsdruk. Wanneer mensen zien dat anderen niet reageren op een crisis of de situatie bagatelliseren, kan dit hun eigen perceptie beïnvloeden. Dit kan hen ontmoedigen om hun zorgen serieus te nemen of om actie te ondernemen. Het effect van sociale bevestiging kan de neiging om te ontkennen of te minimaliseren versterken, wat weer bijdraagt aan de normalcy bias.

3.3. Omgaan met Verrassing en Onzekerheid

Het is van groot belang dat individuen strategieën ontwikkelen om beter om te gaan met verrassingen en de daarmee gepaard gaande onzekerheden. Educatie en bewustwording zijn essentieel. Door mensen voor te lichten over de mogelijke gevolgen van klimaatverandering en andere crises, kunnen we hen aanmoedigen om voorzichtiger en proactiever te zijn. Training in crisismanagement kan ook een waardevolle aanvulling zijn, zodat mensen beter voorbereid zijn op onvoorziene gebeurtenissen.

Daarnaast is het bevorderen van een community-geest cruciaal. Samenwerken met anderen kan helpen om een gevoel van controle terug te winnen en de angst te verlichten. Dit kan door lokale initiatieven, zoals buurtpreventieteams of gezamenlijke noodplannen, te ondersteunen. Wanneer mensen zich verenigd voelen in hun inspanningen om zich voor te bereiden op en te reageren op crises, kan dit hun veerkracht aanzienlijk vergroten.

Conclusie

De psychologie van verrassing en de bijbehorende reacties zijn complex en diepgeworteld in onze menselijkheid. Het begrijpen van deze mechanismen is essentieel voor het ontwikkelen van effectieve strategieën om ons voor te bereiden op de uitdagingen van de toekomst. Door de normalcy bias te erkennen en ons bewust te zijn van de rol van sociale media, kunnen we beter voorbereid zijn op de verrassingen die het leven ons kan bieden.

Storm coming

(ZOOEY)

4. Aanpassing en Voorbereiding

Het is cruciaal dat we onze benadering van weer en klimaat veranderen. In plaats van verrast te zijn door extreme weersomstandigheden, moeten we ons voorbereiden op hun frequentie en intensiteit. Dit omvat veranderingen in infrastructuur, beleidsvorming en educatie. De huidige trends wijzen op een toenemende ernst van klimaatverandering, wat ons dwingt om onze strategieën te herzien en aan te passen aan de nieuwe realiteit. Dit is niet alleen een kwestie van overleven, maar ook van het creëren van veerkrachtige gemeenschappen die in staat zijn om de uitdagingen van de toekomst aan te gaan.

4.1. Beleidsaanbevelingen

Overheden en beleidsmakers moeten proactief beleid ontwikkelen dat gericht is op het verminderen van de impact van extreme weersomstandigheden. Dit kan onder meer het verbeteren van de infrastructuur, het versterken van rampenplannen en het investeren in duurzame energiebronnen omvatten. Een belangrijk aspect van dit beleid is het integreren van klimaatrisico's in alle facetten van de beleidsvorming, van stadsplanning tot landbouwbeleid. Dit betekent dat er ook een nauwe samenwerking moet zijn tussen verschillende sectoren, zoals milieu, economie en sociale zaken.

Daarnaast is het van wezenlijk belang dat er financiële middelen beschikbaar komen voor de uitvoering van deze beleidsmaatregelen. Dit kan door middel van subsidies voor innovatieve technologieën, belastingvoordelen voor duurzame initiatieven en investeringen in groene infrastructuur. Het is ook essentieel om publieke en private partnerschappen te stimuleren, zodat de verantwoordelijkheden voor aanpassing en voorbereiding breed worden gedeeld.

4.2. Infrastructuurverbeteringen

De infrastructuur van een land moet bestand zijn tegen de gevolgen van extreme weersomstandigheden. Dit houdt in dat bestaande structuren zoals wegen, bruggen en gebouwen moeten worden versterkt of aangepast aan de nieuwe klimaatrealiteit. Bijvoorbeeld, het aanleggen van waterdoorlatende bestrating kan helpen om overstromingen te verminderen en de afvoer van regenwater te verbeteren. Ook kunnen dijken en andere waterkeringen worden verhoogd en versterkt om beter bestand te zijn tegen stijgende zeespiegels en extreem weer.

Bovendien moet er aandacht zijn voor het herstel van natuurlijke ecosystemen, zoals wetlands en bossen, die als natuurlijke buffer fungeren tegen overstromingen en erosie. Het beschermen en herstellen van deze gebieden kan niet alleen helpen bij het verminderen van de impact van extreme weersomstandigheden, maar ook bijdragen aan de biodiversiteit en het welzijn van lokale gemeenschappen.

4.3. Opvoeding en Bewustwording

Naast infrastructuur en beleid is ook educatie een cruciaal element in onze voorbereiding op extreme weersomstandigheden. Het publiek moet zich bewust zijn van de risico's die klimaatverandering met zich meebrengt en hoe zij zich daarop kunnen voorbereiden. Dit kan door middel van voorlichtingscampagnes, workshops en trainingen die gericht zijn op het verhogen van de weerbaarheid van individuen en gemeenschappen.

Scholen en onderwijsinstellingen spelen hierin een belangrijke rol. Door klimaateducatie te integreren in het curriculum kunnen jongeren worden voorbereid op een toekomst waarin klimaatverandering een centrale rol speelt. Het aanleren van praktische vaardigheden, zoals noodplannen opstellen en duurzaam leven, kan hen helpen om actief bij te dragen aan een veerkrachtigere samenleving.

4.4. Samenwerking en Vernieuwing

Tot slot is samenwerking op zowel lokaal als internationaal niveau van groot belang. Klimaatverandering kent geen grenzen en de aanpak ervan vereist collectieve inspanningen. Het delen van kennis, technologie en middelen tussen landen kan leiden tot innovatieve oplossingen en effectievere aanpassingsstrategieën. De rol van internationale organisaties en samenwerkingsverbanden kan hierdoor niet worden onderschat.

Door een integrale aanpak te hanteren die beleidsvorming, infrastructuurverbeteringen en educatie combineert, kunnen we niet alleen de impact van extreme weersomstandigheden beperken, maar ook een fundament leggen voor een duurzame en veerkrachtige toekomst. Het is tijd om actie te ondernemen en ons voor te bereiden op de uitdagingen die ons te wachten staan.

5. BESLUIT

Het is tijd om te stoppen met verbaasd te zijn over verrassend weer. De wetenschap van klimaatverandering biedt ons de tools en kennis om de realiteit van extreme weersomstandigheden te begrijpen en ons daarop voor te bereiden. Dit is niet alleen een kwestie van wetenschappelijk onderzoek, maar ook van maatschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid. De steeds frequentere en intensere weersomstandigheden, zoals hittegolven, overstromingen, en orkanen, zijn niet langer een ver van ons bed-show. Ze zijn een tastbare realiteit die ons dagelijks leven beïnvloedt. Het is cruciaal dat we deze veranderingen niet alleen herkennen, maar ook actief aanpakken.

Door de kloof tussen wetenschappelijke kennis en publieke perceptie te overbruggen, kunnen we een samenleving creëren die beter is uitgerust om te gaan met de uitdagingen van een veranderend klimaat. Dit vraagt om een gezamenlijke inspanning van wetenschappers, beleidsmakers, en de gemeenschap als geheel. We moeten de wetenschap van klimaatverandering toegankelijk maken voor iedereen, ongeacht hun achtergrond of opleidingsniveau. Dit kan door het organiseren van voorlichtingscampagnes, het ontwikkelen van educatieve programma's en het stimuleren van maatschappelijke betrokkenheid.

Daarnaast is het van groot belang dat we begrijpen dat klimaatverandering niet alleen een kwestie is van milieu, maar ook van sociale rechtvaardigheid. De meest kwetsbare groepen in onze samenleving, zoals mensen met lage inkomens en minderheden, worden vaak het hardst getroffen door de gevolgen van extreme weersomstandigheden. Daarom moeten we bij onze aanpak van klimaatverandering ook aandacht besteden aan de sociale en economische ongelijkheden die het probleem verergeren. Een inclusieve benadering is noodzakelijk om ervoor te zorgen dat iedereen kan profiteren van de oplossingen die we ontwikkelen.

6. Aanbevelingen voor Verdere Studie

Toekomstig onderzoek moet zich richten op de communicatie van klimaatwetenschap, de rol van onderwijs in klimaatbewustzijn en de ontwikkeling van strategieën voor effectieve aanpassing aan extreme weersomstandigheden. Dit zal ons in staat stellen om de impact van klimaatverandering beter te begrijpen en te mitigeren.

In de eerste plaats moeten we ons concentreren op de manier waarop we klimaatwetenschap communiceren. Dit houdt in dat we jargon en complexe terminologie vermijden die het voor het grote publiek moeilijk maakt om de boodschap te begrijpen. Wetenschappers en communicatiespecialisten moeten samenwerken om duidelijke, beknopte en overtuigende boodschappen te formuleren die mensen aanspreken. Het gebruik van visuele hulpmiddelen, zoals infographics en video's, kan ook helpen om ingewikkelde concepten toegankelijker te maken.

Daarnaast is het cruciaal dat we de rol van onderwijs in klimaatbewustzijn verder onderzoeken. Scholen en universiteiten spelen een sleutelrol in het vormen van de opvattingen van de volgende generatie. Curriculumontwikkeling moet gericht zijn op het integreren van klimaatverandering in verschillende vakken, zodat studenten niet alleen de wetenschap erachter begrijpen, maar ook de sociale en economische impact ervan. Praktische ervaringen, zoals projecten in de lokale gemeenschap, kunnen studenten helpen om klimaatverandering als een urgent probleem te zien dat directe actie vereist.

Een andere belangrijke aanbeveling is het ontwikkelen van strategieën voor effectieve aanpassing aan extreme weersomstandigheden. Dit betekent dat we niet alleen moeten focussen op mitigatie ( afzwakking, beperking ), maar ook op hoe we ons kunnen aanpassen aan de gevolgen van klimaatverandering die al zichtbaar zijn. Dit kan inhouden dat we infrastructuur ontwerpen die beter bestand is tegen extreme weersomstandigheden, zoals waterdichte gebouwen en verbeterde afwateringssystemen. Ook moeten er strategieën worden ontwikkeld voor de bescherming van ecosystemen die ons kunnen helpen bij het bestrijden van de gevolgen van klimaatverandering, zoals natuurgebieden die overstromingen kunnen absorberen.

Verder is het van belang om te kijken naar de rol van technologie in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering. Innovaties zoals hernieuwbare energie, energie-efficiënte technologieën en slimme steden kunnen bijdragen aan zowel mitigatie als aanpassing. Onderzoek naar deze technologieën moet worden gestimuleerd en gefinancierd om ervoor te zorgen dat we gebruik kunnen maken van de beste beschikbare middelen in onze strijd tegen klimaatverandering.

Tot slot moeten we ook kijken naar de internationale samenwerking. Klimaatverandering is een globaal probleem dat niet binnen de grenzen van landen of regio's kan worden opgelost. Effectieve samenwerking tussen landen is cruciaal om de gevolgen van klimaatverandering aan te pakken. Dit omvat het delen van kennis, technologie en middelen, evenals het ontwikkelen van gezamenlijke strategieën voor mitigatie en aanpassing.

De uitdagingen die klimaatverandering met zich meebrengt, zijn groot, maar ze zijn niet onoverkomelijk. Door de wetenschap van klimaatverandering te omarmen en de kloof tussen kennis en publieke perceptie te overbruggen, kunnen we een veerkrachtige samenleving opbouwen. Met de juiste educatie, communicatie en samenwerking kunnen we de weg inslaan naar een duurzame toekomst. Het is aan ons, nu, om actie te ondernemen en de nodige stappen te zetten voor een beter klimaat, zowel voor onszelf als voor de generaties die na ons komen.

{ peter2011 }

14-03-2025 om 14:46 geschreven door peter  

A new species of guitar shark, Rhinobatos sp., was identified at depths around 200 metres off the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania by world-renowned shark expert David Ebert, also known as the ‘Lost Shark Guy’ (Ocean Census Species Discovery Awardee). This is only the 38th known guitar shark species worldwide, a group so at-risk that two-thirds of its species are threatened.

Image: The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/Sergey Bogorodsky © 2025

Over 800 new species discovered in world's biggest ocean mission

The Nippon Foundation Nekton Ocean Census has detailed the discovery of 866 new marine species, including a guitar shark, a deep-sea mollusc, and the first octocoral found in the Maldives, as part of its wider mission to transform the approach to ocean science.

Mollusc_Granulina nekton - The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census _ Jesus Ortega, Leopoldo Moro

© 2025

Found at 3,053 m (10,016 ft) in the Jøtul Vent Field, this deep-sea limpet thrives in extreme environments.

Image courtesy of The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/Martin Hartley.

{ https://oceanographicmagazine.com/ }

11-03-2025 om 17:43 geschreven door peter  

Baltic Sea near Klaipėda.

Wikimedia Commons.

The Role of Climate in Bladderwrack’s Future

With climate change affecting ocean temperatures and salinity, the future of this record-breaking seaweed is uncertain. “The Baltic Sea is entering a period of warmer and possibly even fresher seawater,” explained marine biologist Kerstin Johannesson, co-lead author of the study published in Molecular Ecology. “Every species must adapt to these changes, including the dominant bladderwrack.”

Although its cloning ability has allowed it to thrive, this very mechanism might also be its greatest vulnerability. Without genetic diversity, the massive clone may struggle to withstand environmental shifts, leaving it at risk of disease or habitat changes.

A Super Clone With an Uncertain Fate

Despite these challenges, the bladderwrack “super female” remains a crucial part of the Baltic ecosystem. “This clone comprises millions of individuals,” said study co-author Ricardo Pereyra. “In some areas, it is completely dominant, while in others, it coexists with sexually reproduced bladderwrack.”

While other large clones have been identified in the Baltic, none compare to the scale of this one. Its longevity and dominance highlight the complexity of marine ecosystems and raise new questions about how cloned organisms might survive in a rapidly changing world.

For now, the world’s largest clone continues to shape the Baltic’s underwater landscape, providing shelter and stability for marine life. Whether it can endure future environmental shifts remains to be seen.

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

08-03-2025 om 21:30 geschreven door peter  

In the depths of the ocean, where countless strange fish and creatures dwell in perpetual darkness, they remain unseen, unless unexpectedly caught. This was the case during an expedition by a Russian deep-sea fisherman, who was stunned when he reeled in a bizarre creature that strikingly resembled an alien’s head. 

The eerie catch was made by Roman Fedortsov during an expedition in the northern Pacific Ocean. 

The fisherman shared the video of the strange creature with his followers, with viewers comparing the bulbous fish to an extraterrestrial or even Krang, the villain from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

Fisherman Fedortsov has previously made headlines thanks to other weird and wonderful catches which you can view at Dailymail. 

Despite its eerie appearance, the fish was not an alien or a mutant but rather a species known as the smooth lumpsucker, a deep-sea fish recognized for its distinctive, gelatinous look.

  

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

05-03-2025 om 21:05 geschreven door peter  

What would really happen if the Gulf Stream collapsed? Scientists warn major global current is WEAKENING - raising concerns of a real-life Day After Tomorrow

• READ MORE: The Gulf Stream could COLLAPSE as early as 2025, study predicts 

By JONATHAN CHADWICK FOR MAILONLINE 

As anyone who has seen 'The Day After Tomorrow' can attest, the world would look dramatically different if the Gulf Stream gave way. 

In the 2004 blockbuster film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, an enormous 'superstorm' triggered by the collapse of the Gulf Stream sets off catastrophic natural disasters.

Around the world, people are frozen under layers of snow, drowned in massive tsunamis and dramatically crushed under vehicles thrown by tornados. 

Now, scientists at the Met Office warn that Earth's system of ocean currents is 'weakening', although it is unlikely to collapse this century. 

The Gulf Stream is only a small part of a much wider system of currents, officially called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or AMOC. 

Described as 'the conveyor belt of the ocean', it transports warm water near the ocean's surface northwards from the tropics up to the northern hemisphere, keeping Europe, the UK and the US east coast temperate. 

Lead author Dr Jonathan Baker, a senior scientist at the Met Office, said: 'The AMOC has a crucial role in regulating our climate; without it, northwest Europe’s temperatures would be much cooler.

'Although our study shows that collapse over the next 75 years is unlikely, the AMOC is very likely to weaken, which will present climate challenges for Europe and beyond.'

In the 2004 blockbuster film starring Jake Gyllenhaal , an enormous 'superstorm' triggered by the collapse of the Gulf Stream sets off catastrophic natural disasters

Characters are frozen under layers of snow, drowned in massive tsunamis and dramatically crushed under vehicles thrown by tornados

'If the AMOC were to collapse, it could also lead to significant cooling in northwest Europe and chaotic weather patterns worldwide, affecting crops yields and ecosystems,' Dr Baker said. 

The academic stress that his study found the AMOC is unlikely to collapse this century, but a weakened AMOC poses 'serious climate challenges'.

'A weaker AMOC could alter global rainfall patterns, disrupt marine ecosystems, reduce the ocean's ability to store carbon, and accelerate sea level rise along the US east coast,' he said. 

Professor David Thornalley, a climate scientist at University College London who was not involved with the study, said temperatures would plummet if the AMOC collapsed.

'An AMOC collapse could cause more weather extremes, so as well as overall colder-than-average conditions, we also expect that there would be more winter storms caused by stronger westerly winds,' he told MailOnline. 

'Unfortunately people would die due to stronger winter storms and flooding, and many old and young would be vulnerable to the very cold winter temperatures.' 

However, in the UK, the effects would be 'minor' compared with elsewhere around the world, Professor Thornalley added. 

'A collapse in AMOC would cause a shift in the tropical rainfall belt which would massively disrupt agriculture and water supplies across huge swathes of the globe,' he said.

The Gulf Stream is only a small part of a much wider system of currents, officially called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This map indicates surface currents (solid curves) and deep currents (dashed curves) that form a portion of the AMOC. Colours of curves indicate approximate temperatures

In the Hollywood blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow (pictured), ocean currents around the world stop as a result of global warming, triggering a new ice age on Earth

'Many millions would be affected and suffer from drought, famine and flooding, in countries that are already struggling to deal with these issues. There would be huge numbers of climate refugees, geopolitical tensions would rise.'

Jonathan Bamber, a professor of Earth observation at the University of Bristol, agreed that if the AMOC were to collapse, the climate of northwest Europe would be 'unrecognisable compared to what it is today'. 

'It would be several degrees cooler so that winters would be more typical of Arctic Canada and precipitation would decrease also,' he told MailOnline. 'Very harsh, cold winters would certainly be a threat to life.'

In 'The Day After Tomorrow', a collapse of the AMOC takes place over a matter of days and the fictional weather immediately switches to extreme cold. 

Thankfully, such a rapid transition will not happen in real life, said Penny Holliday, head of marine physics and ocean circulation at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. 

'If the AMOC does reach a tipping point it will happen over several decades at least,' she told MailOnline.

'However a slowdown of the AMOC, whether it is fast-acting or takes place over many decades, will lead to the generation of more extreme and violent weather systems that have the potential to cause deaths and major damage.'   

Already, researchers have suggested that AMOC will weaken or collapse at some point in the 21st century as greenhouse gas emissions increase.

This illustration from the new Nature study depicts the AMOC’s upwelling pathways - where deep, cold water rises toward the surface - in the present day

Formally known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), it powers the Gulf Stream that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeastern US coast

However, the extent of AMOC weakening is uncertain with wide variation across climate models, according to the researchers at the Met Office. 

To find out more, the team, led by Dr Jonathan Baker, used 34 computer models to assess the AMOC’s response to extreme changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and rising sea levels. 

Their findings, published in the journal Nature, reveal the AMOC would weaken, but is likely to withstand future global warming and won't collapse this century. 

This is because strong Southern Ocean winds act like a powerful pump, continuously pulling deep water to the surface, keeping the system running even under extreme climate change.

Met Office says that the effect of a weaker AMOC is included when making projections of future climate change for the UK. 

Interestingly, a weaker AMOC will bring less warm water northwards, and this will partly offset the warming effect of the greenhouse gases over western Europe. 

For the gradual weakening that is likely over the 21st century, but the overall effect is still a warming. 

Professor Rowan Sutton, director of the Met Office Hadley Centre who was not involved with the study, said it brings 'important new insights' into AMOC's future. 

'The Day After Tomorrow' is based on the 1999 book The Coming Global Superstorm by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber

Professor Rowan Sutton, director of the Met Office Hadley Centre who was not involved with the study, said it brings 'important new insights' into AMOC's future.

'It shows that aspects of the AMOC may be more robust to a changing climate than some previous research has suggested,' he said. 

'However, it doesn’t change our expectation that the AMOC will weaken over the twenty first century, and that this weakening will have important impacts on climate.' 

But study author Geoff Vallis, climate scientist at the University of Exeter, said it does 'not in any way mean that global warming is not a severe problem for society and our planet'. 

'I think it very unlikely that my house will burn down in the coming years; however, I still buy insurance to guard against that risk,' Professor Vallis said. 

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26-02-2025 om 22:45 geschreven door peter  

Have you ever looked up and seen the sky split into two distinct colors, one side glowing red while the other remains a dull gray? At first glance, it may seem like a natural optical effect, but it is not!

Watch video of this bizarre sky phenomenon below.

This phenomenon has been observed before, and many believe it is not just a random occurrence. Instead, it could be the result of large-scale geoengineering projects, deliberate interventions in Earth's climate system. These efforts, often carried out under the guise of combating climate change, may actually be disrupting natural atmospheric processes. 

Strange, unnatural-looking clouds, such as square formations and other unusual weather anomalies, may also be linked to these operations. 

Additionally, the infamous chemtrails are a product of weather manipulation, involving the release of chemicals into the lower stratosphere. Proponents argue that these methods help mitigate global warming, but that is not true, these sprayings really doing more harm than good. 

While mainstream narratives push the climate change (hoax) agenda and link climate change to human activity and greenhouse gas emissions, an increasing number of scientists step forward and explain that natural Earth cycles, particularly its position relative to the sun, play a significant role in climate shifts. They point to Milankovitch cycles—long-term variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, which have historically played a key role in global temperature changes. 

Interestingly, it seems that some high-ranking government officials are beginning to question the effects of geoengineering. If action is taken to regulate or halt these practices, we may once again witness unaltered, natural skies. Until then, all we can do is observe, question, and seek the truth.

 

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

25-02-2025 om 18:03 geschreven door peter  

Combining data from multiple sources, the Glambie team produced an annual time series of global glacier loss from 2000 to 2023. In 2000, glaciers covered about 705,221 square km (272,287 mi2) and held an estimated 121,728 billion metric tons (134,182 US tons) of ice. Over the next twenty years, they lost 273 billion tonnes of ice annually, approximately 5% of their total volume, with regional losses ranging from 2% in the Antarctic and Subantarctic to 39% in Central Europe. To put that in perspective, this amounts to what the entire global population consumes in 30 years.

In short, the amount of ice lost rose to 36% during the second half of the study (2012 and 2023) compared to the first half (2000-2011). Glacier mass loss over the whole study period was 18% higher than the meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet and more than double that from the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Michael Zemp, a noted glaciologist who co-led the study, said in an ESA press release:

“We compiled 233 estimates of regional glacier mass change from about 450 data contributors organized in 35 research teams. Benefiting from the different observation methods, Glambie not only provides new insights into regional trends and year-to-year variability, but we could also identify differences among observation methods. This means that we can provide a new observational baseline for future studies on the impact of glacier melt on regional water availability and global sea-level rise.”

Globally, glaciers collectively lost 6,542 tonnes (7,210 tons) of ice, leading to a global sea-level rise of 18 mm (0.7 inches). However, the rate of glacier ice loss increased significantly from 231 billion tonnes per year in the first half of the study period to 314 billion tonnes per year in the second half – an increase of 36%. This rise in water loss has made glaciers the second-largest contributor to global sea-level rise, surpassing the contributions of the Greenland Ice Sheet, Antarctic Ice Sheet, and changes in land water storage. Said UZH glaciologist Inés Dussaillant, who was involved in the Glambie analyses:

“Glaciers are vital freshwater resources, especially for local communities in Central Asia and the Central Andes, where glaciers dominate runoff during warm and dry seasons. But when it comes to sea-level rise, the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with their much larger glacier areas, are the key players. However, almost Thione-quarter of the glacier contribution to sea-level rise originates from Alaska.”

These results will provide environmental scientists with a refined baseline for interpreting observational differences arising from different methods and for calibrating models. They hope this will help future studies of global ice loss by narrowing the projection uncertainties for the twenty-first century. These research findings are the culmination of many years of cooperative studies and observations, which included the use of satellites that were not specifically designed to monitor glaciers globally. As co-author Noel Gourmelen, a lecturer in Earth Observation of the Cryosphere at the University of Edinburgh, said:

“The research is the result of sustained efforts by the community and by space agencies over many years, to exploit a variety of satellites that were not initially specifically designed for the task of monitoring glaciers globally. This legacy is already producing impact with satellite missions being designed to allow operational monitoring of future glacier evolution, such as Europe’s Copernicus CRISTAL mission which builds on the legacy of ESA’s CryoSat.”

The study also marks an important milestone since it was released in time for the United Nations’ International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034). Said Livia Jakob, the Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder at Earthwave, hosted a large workshop with all the participants to discuss the findings. “Bringing together so many different research teams from across the globe in a joint effort to increase our understanding and certainty of glacier ice loss has been extremely valuable. This initiative has also fostered a stronger sense of collaboration within the community.”

The study also illustrates the importance of collective action on climate change, which is accelerating at an alarming rate. Research that quantifies glacial loss, rising sea levels, and other impacts is key to preparing for the worst. It’s also essential to the development of proper adaptation, mitigation, and restoration strategies consistent with the recommendations made by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Further Reading: 

• ESA

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

24-02-2025 om 12:12 geschreven door peter  

Credit: Shutterstock

Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), the research team meticulously measured ¹⁰Be concentrations in the crust samples. What they found was staggering—at around 10 million years in age, the samples contained nearly double the expected amount of beryllium-10.

What Could Have Triggered This Beryllium Surge?

After ruling out contamination, the team narrowed the possible causes down to two leading theories:

1. Massive Shifts in Ocean Circulation – Around 10 to 12 million years ago, Earth underwent dramatic changes in ocean currents, particularly near Antarctica. A shift in these currents could have redistributed beryllium-10, concentrating it in specific regions like the Pacific Ocean.
2. A Nearby Supernova – Another possibility is that an explosion from a dying star showered Earth with increased cosmic radiation, triggering a spike in ¹⁰Be production. If this is the case, it would represent a rare astrophysical fingerprint embedded in our planet’s geological record.

”Only new measurements can indicate whether the beryllium anomaly was caused by changes in ocean currents or has astrophysical reasons,” says HZDR physicist Dr. Dominik Koll. ”That is why we plan to analyze more samples in the future and hope that other research groups will do the same.”

Could This Be a Universal Time Marker?

One of the greatest challenges in geochronology is synchronizing different geological archives—such as ice cores, rock formations, and deep-sea sediments. If the beryllium-10 anomaly is found to be widespread, it could become a game-changing reference point for aligning Earth’s historical timeline with unprecedented precision.

For now, scientists are expanding their research to analyze additional deep-sea samples from different locations. If their results confirm this anomaly on a global scale, this could represent a major step forward in how we decode Earth’s history.

“For periods spanning millions of years, such cosmogenic time markers do not yet exist. However, this beryllium anomaly has the potential to serve as such a marker,” Koll concluded.

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

11-02-2025 om 18:03 geschreven door peter  

Revealed: What humans will look like in 1,000 years, according to scientists

• READ MORE: Scientists reveal what life on Earth will look like in 2100

By WILIAM HUNTER

Looking back at our primate ancestors, it would be easy to assume that humans today have reached the final chapter of our evolution.  

However, many scientists believe that the way humans appear today is just the start of the story.

Thanks to technology, space travel, and climate change, the world around us is changing faster than ever - and experts believe that humanity will change with it.

Now, artificial intelligence (AI) reveals what the humans of the future might look like.

With Google's ImageFX AI image generator, MailOnline has used predictions from leading scientists to imagine how the human race might evolve.

According to the experts, humans will look a lot more uniform in the future.   

They predict the average person will have darker skin and look more like someone from the modern-day cultural melting pots of Mauritius or Brazil.

And, in good news for everyone, experts say that the humans of 3025 could be more attractive than we are today.

With Google's ImageFX AI image generator, MailOnline has used predictions from leading scientists to imagine how the human race might evolve. The researchers predict the average person will have darker skin and look more like someone from the modern-day cultural melting pots of Mauritius or Brazil 

Researchers predict that people wil become more uniform and more attractive as sexual selection replaces survival of the fittest 

People will be shorter 

In the past, the biggest force driving evolution came from humans dying before they had the chance to reproduce and pass on their genes. 

However, thanks to modern medicine, more and more people are living long enough to have children.

This means that a different force will determine which genes become more common. 

Professor Mark Thomas, an evolutionary geneticist from UCL, told MailOnline: 'In the past that has always worked on some children not surviving, but the point is that evolution also works on fecundity - on how many children are born.'

Essentially, this means that people who have more children are more likely to pass on their genes.  

Interestingly, some scientists have suggested that this could make humans shorter in the future.

While Professor Thomas is clear that this is just 'one theory among many' it has been proposed that early sexual maturation has been linked to smaller height.

In the future humans might become smaller as the evolutionary drive towards fecundity trades early sexual maturation off against physical size

Some scientists have suggested that humans could be shorter in the future

Reaching sexual maturity early allows organisms to have more offspring across their lifespan but this appears to be traded off against decreased size.

Professor Thomas says: 'This is one of the arguments that's been put forward to explain why you get pygmy populations in many places around the world.

'Their lives are relatively short because it's a tough life in the rainforest, so they've traded off sexual maturation against physical growth.'

If people who mature earlier end up having more children, the genes which cause both early maturation and shorter stature could increase in the population.

However, Professor Thomas stresses that this idea hasn't been tested in population studies so the connection may not hold outside of specific environments.

More attractive  

As fewer people die, the biggest factor driving evolution will be how many children someone can have. 

Strangely, one potential effect of this is that it might end up making men more attractive.

In 1,000 years, women having more choice over their partners will create selective pressure for traits that are found attractive. That may mean the average person becomes more attractive, successful, or intelligent 

As women choose their partners more freely, more attractive men will pass on their genetics. This could mean that the human race becomes more attractive over time 

Professor Thomas says: 'The natural state of affairs in mammals is really for females to do all the choosing.

'But when you have strong patriarchies, as we do in many places around the world, then the males end up doing a lot of the choosing and controlling.'

As societies liberalise and women become increasingly able to choose their own partners that selective pressure could be piled back on.

'Thankfully we're moving into a world where females do the choosing, and they're going to choose males who they like for one reason or another,' says Professor Thomas.

'It might be for brains, success, because they look good, or look muscly but as there's more female choice you would expect those traits to increase.'

So, over the next few thousand years, as more attractive men pass on their genes more successfully, humanity might get that little bit more handsome.

Darker skin and more uniform looks 

One of the biggest changes that experts expect to see is that humanity will become much more uniform in appearance.

As humanity becomes more mixed and cultural or racial barriers are broken down, humans will tend towards having darker skin and more uniform features 

For large parts of human history, individual populations have remained relatively isolated from one another.

When small isolated groups like the Amish breed together the rate of genetic drift, random fluctuations in gene frequencies, tends to be higher, making them more distinct from other populations.

However, compared to the past, people from different ethnicities are already mixing together much more often.  

Dr Jason Hodgson, senior lecturer on bioinformatics and big data at Anglia Ruskin University, told MailOnline: 'One thing that might happen in the future is the breaking down of population structure.

'Current trends in the US, at least, suggest that interracial marriages are becoming more common. Assuming this pattern continues you will see less population structure.'

On an individual level, this means the average human of the future will become more genetically diverse since they will inherit traits in a greater number of populations.

However, at the population level, this could lead to less variation.

'In terms of appearance, you would then see that people are more intermediate,' says Dr Hodgson.

In the future, interracial partnerships and long-distance migration are likely to become more common. This might mean humans start to look more like the people of modern-day Mauritius or Brazil where many cultures have mixed for several generations 

'If we think about one of the few traits that varies by population – skin colour – most people would be a bit brown, for example.'

Professor Thomas points out that a good point of reference would be the modern population of Brazil or Mauritius where lots of ethnic groups have already mixed for several generations.

Technologically enhanced

Powerful new technologies might give humans the ability to shape our own evolution.

Dr Hodgson says: 'I would question whether evolution will be allowed to proceed naturally in the distant future.

'We currently have the technology to do targeted gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9. This gives us the ability to largely change the genome as we want.'

Although Dr Hodgson points out that almost all scientists today consider this to be unethical, future generations might not be so scrupulous.

There are already companies offering 'designer baby' services in the US which claim to help parents select for traits like height, intelligence, and gender.

Tools like gene editing and technological enhancements will make people healthier, more intelligent, and more attractive. At the same time, people will be able to use technology to choose more about how they look as it is incorporated into their bodies 

If these technologies are allowed to spread without check, then genetic traits that were once rare in the population could become significantly more common.

Dr Hodgson says: 'In the distant future you might see very significant change, and it could potentially happen on the scale of a single generation.'

Using technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, which allows scientists to cut and paste sections of DNA, humans might even be able to take on new genetic traits from elsewhere in the animal kingdom.

For example people might choose to give themselves darker skin with higher levels of melanin to help protect against harmful UV radiation. 

Fashions and cultural trends will also change the way people look as technology lets people choose more about their appearance. 

Dr John Hawks, an anthropologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told MailOnline: 'If we look to the future, the cultural and technological changes are almost certainly going to be stronger than the genetic changes across humanity. 

'Many of those affect appearance: you can imagine color-changing tattoos, all kinds of body modification, new modes of expression that come from blending bodies with technology.'

Smaller brains 

Our increasing dependence on technology may mean that people in the future develop rapidly through biological augmentation. At the same time, more technology may impact our physiology in surprising ways

Professor Robert Brooks, an evolutionary biologist from the University of New South Wales, Syndey, told MailOnline he would expect to see human brains get smaller over time.

Professor Brooks' theory suggests that as computers take over more of the computational, factual, and social dimensions of living, the advantage of having a big brain decreases.

At the same time, the energy cost to mothers of bigger brains and the increased risks during childbirth due to larger heads remain the same.

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Nicholas Longrich, a palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist from the University of Bath, compared humans' future development to that of a domesticated animal.

Dr Longrich wrote: 'Arguably we’re becoming a kind of domesticated ape, but curiously, one domesticated by ourselves.'

He continues: 'Sheep lost 24 per cent of their brain mass after domestication; for cows, it’s 26 per cent; dogs, 30 per cent.

'This raises an unsettling possibility. Maybe being more willing to passively go with the flow (perhaps even thinking less), like a domesticated animal, has been bred into us, like it was for them.'

Hunched backs and clawed hands 

It has also been suggested that more time spent with technology and worsening lifestyles could lead humans to develop characteristics like a hunched back or clawed hands. But these traits would not be genetic. Pictured: An artist's impression of the average Briton 25 years from now 

Other studies have suggested that increased use of technology could lead to other non-evolutionary changes. 

This could include humans having more pronounced hunches from looking at computers all day or developing crooked and overdeveloped hands from using phones.

Likewise sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock previously predicted that humans missing out on sleep could begin to have big changes on our bodies.

As we spend more time using technology and social media, more people may end up getting six hours or less of sleep.  

In 25 years, Dr Bostock predicts that the average Briton will have chronic back pain, thinning hair, sagging skin, swollen legs and red, baggy eyes. 

They will also suffer from thinning muscle in the arms and legs and become increasingly prone to flu due to a weak immune system.

However, these changes wouldn't occur at the genetic level since there would be no evolutionary advantage to pass them on.

Adaptations for space 

In the distant future, humans may develop long arms, tall bodies, and large eyes to survive in the low gravity and dim light of distant planets 

In the very far future, humans who venture into space might even become so different from the humans on Earth that they could be considered a new species 

If some part of humanity were to venture into space, it is not entirely inconceivable that this group would slowly evolve away from the population remaining on Earth.

Dr John Hawks, an anthropologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told MailOnline: 'The human population of Earth is very large and diverse, but long-term space travel does create the potential of small founder populations that remain separated for millennia.

'Establishing a sustainable human population in another star system after a voyage of thousands of years would not be easy. But such a scenario would give rise to the possibility of speciation.'

On Mars, humans would receive only 66 per cent of the sunlight and 38 per cent of the gravitational force they are exposed to on Earth.

Read More

• Scientists reveal face of 'completely unknown' human ancestor that rewrites history of our evolution 

To adapt to space, humans might become taller and develop longer arms in order to perform better in low gravity.

Even on the International Space Station, NASA says that astronauts can grow by about three per cent in the first few days in space as their spines strech out in low gravity. 

Likewise, just as was the case when ancient humans migrated into northern Europe, future humans could become paler in order to maximise the amount of vitamin D derived from low light.

Human eyes could also become bigger and more sensitive to see in dim conditions or be enhanced with a number of technological augmentations.

TIMELINE OF HUMAN EVOLUTION

The timeline of human evolution can be traced back millions of years. Experts estimate that the family tree goes as such:

55 million years ago - First primitive primates evolve

15 million years ago - Hominidae (great apes) evolve from the ancestors of the gibbon

7 million years ago - First gorillas evolve. Later, chimp and human lineages diverge

5.5 million years ago - Ardipithecus, early 'proto-human' shares traits with chimps and gorillas

4 million years ago - Ape like early humans, the Australopithecines appeared. They had brains no larger than a chimpanzee's but other more human like features 

3.9-2.9 million years ago - Australoipithecus afarensis lived in Africa.  

2.7 million years ago - Paranthropus, lived in woods and had massive jaws for chewing  

2.6 million years ago - Hand axes become the first major technological innovation 

2.3 million years ago - Homo habilis first thought to have appeared in Africa

1.85 million years ago - First 'modern' hand emerges 

1.8 million years ago - Homo ergaster begins to appear in fossil record 

800,000 years ago - Early humans control fire and create hearths. Brain size increases rapidly

400,000 years ago - Neanderthals first begin to appear and spread across Europe and Asia

300,000 to 200,000 years ago - Homo sapiens - modern humans - appear in Africa

54,000 to 40,000 years ago - Modern humans reach Europe 

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10-02-2025 om 23:42 geschreven door peter