Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World
Week ending Friday, June 2, 2023
Ailing Earth
A new report says Earth has exceeded seven out of eight key ecological stability limits, pushing the planet into “the danger zone.” Writing in the journal
Nature, the scientific group Earth Commission says it looked at climate, air pollution, groundwater, phosphorus and nitrogen contamination from fertilizer overuse, fresh surface water as well as the overall natural and human-built environments.
Comparing what it would be like if the planet had just gotten a medical exam, Earth Commission co-chair Joyeeta Gupta said, “our doctor would say that the Earth is really quite sick right now.”
But it could heal if carbon emissions are slashed and we are more careful with the world’s land and water.
Earthquakes
A quake near the Afghan-tajik border was felt across South Asia.
• The strongest tremor to hit Melbourne, Australia, in 120 years cracked walls.
• Earth movements were also felt in India’s Assam and Meghalaya states and along the Swiss-french border.
Octopus Nightmare
Surveillance video of an octopus at New York City’s Rockefeller University suggests the marine creature suffered a violent nightmare as if
it were fighting for its life.
Researcher Eric Angel Ramos said the episode lasted for minutes, with “Costello” releasing ink and thrashing around in an attempt to make himself look larger, even though he was alone except
for a few small fish.
The formerly wild cephalopod was brought to the aquarium missing limbs he had probably lost in a predator attack. Ramos believes the highly intelligent octopus could have been reliving such an attack in his sleep.
Costello’s species lives only about a year and a half, but can quickly learn skills and solve complex problems.
Eruptions
Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano became more violent, developing large lava domes that collapsed, spewing fountains of lava.
Schools and airports were shuttered due to ash falling over the region, just to the southeast of Mexico City.
Millions of surrounding residents have been warned of a possible evacuation should the volcano reach an even higher level of activity.
• Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja volcano produced a powerful steam eruption that sent debris cascading down its slopes.
Plastic Eaters
A group of plastic-consuming bacteria and fungi have been discovered living along China’s Yellow Sea coast, raising the possibility that the massive amount of global plastic pollution may be managed.
“A total of 184 fungal and 55 bacterial strains capable of breaking down various plastics were found,” the Royal Botanic
Gardens in Kew said in a statement.
This could lead to the development of efficient enzymes that are able to degrade plastic waste.
The new discoveries were found in a “terrestrial plastisphere,” which the scientists describe as an ecosystem that has evolved to thrive in the presence of plastic debris.
Pollen Control
Japan announced plans to reduce the amount of pollen released by the country’s cedar and cypress trees by half over the next 30 years in an effort to ease the misery of hay fever suffered by about 40% of the population.
More than 90% of existing cedar trees will be felled and replaced with species that release less pollen.
A large number of cedars were planted for reforestation in the aftermath of World War II as the country’s economy recovered.
The government in Tokyo says it will encourage homebuilders to use more timber from domestic cedar trees and will ask companies to let employees work remotely to reduce pollen exposure, especially during spring.
Tropical Cyclone
After lashing Guam the previous week, Typhoon Mawar strengthened to Catetory-5 force over the western Pacific before weakening to a tropical storm near Okinawa.
Mawar formed in Micronesia during mid-may.