Most popular

    Environmental Science and Engineering

    Home Environmental Science and Engineering
    This major aims to provide professional education to train students to be knowledgeable in environmental science and engineering so that they can work as environmental professionals contributing to improved environmental performance and sustainability. The programme objectives are: To provide students with broad-based knowledge and fundamentals of environmental science and engineering with three streams, namely environmental technology, sustainability and environmental management, and environmental science; To produce graduates who can perform competently as environmental professionals, scientists and engineers in commercial, industrial and non-governmental organizations, civil services and educational institutions; To produce graduates that are aware of global, societal, ethical and professional issues and responsibilities in the practice of environmental science and engineering and make contributions to the betterment of the society; and To nurture students' ability to engage in life-long learning and professional development.
    The Unintended Consequences of Reducing Aerosol Emissions A new study from the Ocean University of China has raised concerns about an unintended consequence of reducing aerosol emissions. The study suggests that China's efforts to cut down on aerosols, which are known to cool the Earth's atmosphere, might be causing heat waves in the Pacific Ocean. From 2010 to 2020, the researchers observed "heat blobs" forming over the northeast Pacific, leading to ocean temperatures rising by as much as 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This warming trend has triggered significant ecological disruptions, including widespread fish die-offs, toxic algae blooms, and even the disappearance of whales. The researchers linked these heat waves to China's dramatic reduction in aerosol emissions. Typically, aerosols from industrial activities act like tiny mirrors, reflecting the sun's heat back into space. By reducing these pollutants, China has inadvertently allowed more heat to reach the Earth's surface, leading to increased atmospheric pressure and higher temperatures. This shift in climate patterns has sparked a debate on whether China's approach to emission reduction needs rethinking to avoid further ecological damage. The Impact of Heat Waves on Environment and Society The study's findings have broader implications, indicating a complex relationship between human activity, climate change, and environmental health. To better understand these interactions, the researchers created 12 climate models to simulate different scenarios based on varying levels of aerosol emissions. The models where aerosol emissions stayed constant showed little change in global temperatures. However, those with reduced aerosols revealed heat waves forming over the northeast Pacific. These rising temperatures have had severe effects on both the environment and society. The weakening of the Aleutian Low, a weather system that usually brings cooler air from the Aleutian Islands into the Pacific, has led to hotter sea conditions. This shift contributed to the prolonged California drought from 2013 to 2016, causing billions of dollars in agricultural losses and the death of more than 100 million trees. While reducing aerosols has environmental benefits, like cleaner air and fewer health risks, the study underlines the need for a balanced approach. Aerosols are also linked to serious health risks, with around eight million people dying prematurely each year from respiratory illnesses and heart disease due to aerosol-related pollution. This poses a challenge: reducing aerosols can have unintended effects on climate, but their presence also carries health risks. Researchers stress the importance of understanding the complex dynamics between human activity and climate change. They call on governments to reassess policies on aerosol emissions, weighing the pros and cons, and considering the broader impacts on global warming and environmental health. The study is a reminder that tackling climate change requires a thoughtful, balanced approach, considering both the environmental benefits and the risks of unintended consequences.
    Environmental Science and Engineering

    China Is Generating Heat Waves Across The Pacific Ocean

    Science Technology Latest News - 0
    Carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are rising at an alarming rate, 10 times faster than any time in the last 50,000 years, according to a groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of St. Andrews and Oregon State University. This research highlights the dramatic pace of current climate change, offering valuable insights by comparing it to historical climate patterns. Kathleen Wendt, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS), emphasizes the significance of these findings. "Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented," Wendt explains. Their research discovered that the rate at which carbon dioxide is rising today, driven primarily by human activities, is 10 times higher than the fastest natural rates ever recorded. The research team analyzed ancient Antarctic ice, which has trapped gases in air bubbles for hundreds of millennia. By drilling cores up to two miles deep and examining trace chemicals, scientists have been able to reconstruct historical climate data. These records revealed that during the last ice age, which ended around 10,000 years ago, there were periods of significant carbon spikes. However, the previous measurements lacked the detail necessary to fully understand these changes. Insights from Ancient Ice and Modern Implications The international team focused on samples from the Westdioxide istic Ice Sheet Divide, discovering that rapid CO2 rising occurred during cold intervals in the North Atlantic, known as Heinrich Events. These events are linked to abrupt global climate shifts and are marked by dramatic collapses of ice sheets, leading to a cascade of environmental changes. Christo Buizert, co-author of the study and an associate professor at CEOAS, describes these Heinrich Events as "truly remarkable." They likely resulted from a dramatic collapse of the North American ice sheet, triggering a series of changes in tropical monsoons, Southern Hemisphere winds, and substantial releases of CO2 from the oceans. The most notable natural rise in carbon during these periods was by about 14 parts per million over 55 years, occurring approximately every 7,000 years. In stark contrast, today's human-driven CO2 rise will reach this magnitude in just five to six years. The study's findings suggest that during natural CO2 spikes, stronger westerly winds crucial for deep ocean circulation facilitated rapid carbon releases from the Southern Ocean. Dr. James Rae from the University of St. Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, a co-author of the study, elaborates on the broader implications. "These Heinrich Events kick off an astonishing sequence of rapid shifts in climate around the world," Rae notes. They start with weakening of the North Atlantic's circulation, leading to rapid cooling in Northwest Europe, sea ice expansion, and disruptions to tropical monsoons. Additionally, these events alter oceanic and atmospheric circulation around Antarctica, causing significant CO2 releases. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also addresses future climate concerns. Previous research suggests that climate change will strengthen westerly winds over the next century. If this occurs, the Southern Ocean's capacity to absorb human-generated carbon will be diminished, posing significant challenges for managing global CO2 levels. "We rely on the Southern Ocean to take up part of the carbon dioxide we emit, but rapidly increasing southerly winds weaken its ability to do so," Wendt warns. This insight underscores the urgency of addressing human contributions to climate change to mitigate these unprecedented rates of atmospheric CO2 rise. By understanding these ancient patterns and their modern parallels, the study provides a crucial perspective on how unique and accelerated today's climate crisis is, emphasizing the need for immediate and sustained action to curb carbon emissions. For further information, visit: https://www.ecowatch.com/ Read our previous articles: First 5G-enabled Surgery performed by Doctor Hitchhiking Aliens: New Research into Panspermia What Is Inside the Moon? (scitechupdate.com) Two new COVID variants, called 'FLiRT' in the United States Sex and Gender Studies: Unlocking Equality and Social Justi https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/social-media-negative-effects-teenagers-brain https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/japans-co2-absorbing-concrete-home https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/zinc-should-get-from-food-not-supplements https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-awarded-to-pioneers-of-covid-19-vaccines https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/scientists-say-this-blood-type-increases-risk-of-early-stroke https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/the-harmful-impact-of-the-r-word-why-it-needs-to-be-retired https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/three-nobel-prizes-try-to-cover-all-of-science https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/the-most-populated-cities-in-the-world https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/aromas-and-odors-decoding-the-insect-brains-interpretation https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/pig-kidney-xenotransplantation-is-thriving-in-human-body https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/uk-plans-to-build-an-85-million-laser-a-million-billion-billion-times-brighter-than-the-sun https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/huaweis-new-smartphone-challenger-to-apple https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/zuckerberg-introduced-a-new-virtual-keyboard-where-bosworth-typed-119-words-per-minute https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/venus-colony-by-2050-ocean-gate-co-founders-bold-plan-a-thriving-1000-people-venus-colony-by-2050 https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/israel-advances-cancer-treatment-with-genomic-profiling/https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/stomach-cancer-causes-signs-and-treatment/ https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/james-webb-telescope-captures-newborn-sun-like-star https://scitechupdate.com/index.php/oxygen-28-unstable-magic-isotope-that-defies-expectations
    Environmental Science and Engineering

    CO2 spiking! Levels are rising 10 times faster than ever seen...

    Science Technology Latest News - 0

    APPLICATIONS

    HOT NEWS

    Scientists Pioneer Stable Efficient Next-Gen Solar Cells

    Science Technology Latest News - 3
    Scientists Pioneer Stable Efficient Next-Gen Solar Cells
    Uncategorized
    Perovskite solar materials have long held the promise of being more cost-effective and sustainable than traditional silicon solar cells. However, their practical application has faced challenges due to durability issues. A group of scientists from around the world, including Nelson Dzade, a professor at Penn State, has made a big discovery: they have found a new way to make durable perovskite solar cells that keep turning sunlight into electricity at an impressive 21.59% efficiency.
    © All rights reserved - scitechupdate.com