
Killer whales have begun to migrate farther into previously icy regions of the Arctic, preying on narwhal, beluga, and bowhead. Scientists say their increasing numbers could shift food webs in ways that affect both endangered whale populations and subsistence Inuit hunters.
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WAR IN GAZA
As War Halts, the Environmental Devastation in Gaza Runs Deep
The war in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the environment, with water supplies contaminated, raw sewage pouring into the Mediterranean, once-fertile soils ruined, and the land stripped of trees. Experts say the extent of the damage needs to be tallied to help plan for a recovery.
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RIVERS
How Tearing Down Small Dams Is Helping Restore Northeast Rivers
More than 30,000 small dams currently block river tributaries from Maine to Maryland. New initiatives to remove them are aimed at restoring natural flows, improving habitat for aquatic life, and reopening thousands of river miles to migratory fish, from shad to American eels.
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Food & Agriculture
Turning Farmland Back to Peatland: Can It Slow CO2 Emissions?
Farmers have long drained peatlands for agriculture, but the dried-out soils release vast quantities of CO2. To halt this process, new initiatives in Germany are not only rewetting peatlands but also creating markets for the native grasses, reeds, and sedges they support.
Climate
In Vermont, a Push to Prevent Flooding or Get Out of the Way
An increase in extreme precipitation events has hit the tiny, mountainous state of Vermont especially hard. As disaster declarations mount, state officials and community groups are collaborating to restore floodplains, reduce runoff from slopes, and buy out vulnerable homes.
E360 Digest
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Dust from Car Brakes More Harmful than Exhaust, Study Finds
In cars, pollution doesn't come from exhaust alone. It also comes from wear and tear on roads, tires, and brakes. According to new research, tiny bits of dust cast off by brake pads may inflict more harm than car exhaust. More about Dust from Car Brakes More Harmful than Exhaust, Study Finds →
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Russia's War Is Driving Up Emissions by Forcing Planes to Reroute
Since war broke out in Ukraine, Western airlines have been charting longer routes to avoid flying over Russia, with a discernible impact on emissions. More about Russia's War Is Driving Up Emissions by Forcing Planes to Reroute →
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World Likely to Breach 1.5-Degree Target, Research Finds
The world is set to blow past its goal to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C, new research shows. More about World Likely to Breach 1.5-Degree Target, Research Finds →
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WILDLIFE
Deadly Encounter: Mountain Lion Attacks Spark Controversy
A mountain lion attack that killed a young California man last year has reignited a debate over how the big cats should be managed. Some are calling for renewed hunting of the animals, while others are advocating nonlethal methods of instilling a fear of humans in the big cats.
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Oceans
As Oceans Warm, Predators Are Falling Out of Sync with Their Prey
In the sea as on land, climate change is driving shifts in the abundance and distribution of species. Scientists are just beginning to focus on why some fish predators and prey — like striped bass and menhaden on the U.S. East Coast — are changing their behavior as waters warm.
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INTERVIEW
Whiplash: How Big Swings in Precipitation Fueled the L.A. Fires
Climate scientist Daniel Swain says that two very wet years followed by a very dry one helped to turn the Los Angeles wildfires into raging infernos. This phenomenon of “hydroclimate whiplash,” he says, is expected to occur in more and more places as the world warms.
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Biodiversity
Despite Biotech Efforts to Revive Species, Extinction Is Still Forever
In the last decade, laboratory initiatives to recreate long-extinct species have stirred controversy. Now, scientists increasingly agree "de-extinction" is not possible, but breeding living animals with genes similar to those lost species can be a useful conservation tool.