Trump announces new tariffs and software export controls on China
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States would impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and restrict the export of “critical so...
Spanish scientists have discovered massive methane emissions from the Antarctic seabed, a potent greenhouse gas that could accelerate global warming, highlighting the environmental risks of thawing ice sheets and trapped methane hydrates.
A team of Spanish scientists aboard the Sarmiento de Gamboa vessel has made a groundbreaking discovery beneath Antarctica’s icy waters. The researchers detected significant emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is far more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. These emissions, previously unknown to scientists, could have serious consequences for the planet’s climate.
The methane, which has accumulated on the seabed for approximately 20,000 years, originates from methane hydrates, a crystalline substance created by the decomposition of organic matter. Geologist Roger Urgeles from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona explained that these hydrates are comparable to ice, but they can ignite if exposed to the right conditions.
The scientists’ findings are particularly concerning given the ongoing effects of global warming in Antarctica, where temperatures have risen by over three degrees Celsius in just the past 50 years. The thinning of the Antarctic ice sheet is believed to be triggering the release of trapped methane. This phenomenon, known as postglacial rebound, could result in the rapid release of large amounts of methane from the seabed.
In the region around Antarctica, approximately 24 gigatons of carbon are estimated to be stored in methane hydrates—equivalent to the total emissions of humanity over the course of two years. This discovery highlights a potentially significant environmental threat, as the release of methane could accelerate climate change, raising global temperatures even further.
In addition to the methane threat, the researchers also identified instability in the marine sediments, which could lead to massive landslides along the continental slope. These landslides could trigger a tsunami, presenting a further danger to the environment and surrounding regions.
This finding underscores the urgent need for continued research on the environmental and geological changes taking place in polar regions. As the effects of climate change intensify, understanding the potential risks associated with thawing permafrost and methane emissions will be crucial for mitigating the long-term consequences on global ecosystems and human populations.
As Antarctica continues to experience rapid changes due to rising temperatures, the world must take note of this significant discovery and its implications for the future of our planet. The potential release of methane from the seabed adds a critical layer to the conversation surrounding climate change and the need for proactive action.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
Authorities in California have identified the dismembered body discovered in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing from Lake Elsinore since April 2024.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 13 September with no tsunami threat, coming just weeks after the region endured a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake — the strongest since 1952.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Azerbaijan is stepping up its renewable energy ambitions with plans to develop eight new solar and wind plants by 2027, backed by $2.8 billion in investment and aimed at exceeding its 2030 climate targets ahead of schedule.
On the second day of Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), attention centred on strengthening international cooperation, accelerating the transition to clean energy, and ensuring a fair and inclusive approach.
Super Typhoon Ragasa lashed Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain on Wednesday.
When Climate Week kicks off in New York City on Sunday (21 September), it will mark the largest event of its kind yet, with organisers reporting a record number of companies participating and more events than ever before.
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