rivers
Newsletter
Credit: Patrick Hendry/Unsplash
Human activities accelerate carbon release from rivers
New research indicates that human activities are transforming rivers from carbon sinks into carbon sources, exacerbating climate change.
In short:
- Human activities like urbanization and agriculture are increasing carbon dioxide emissions from rivers by speeding up the decomposition of organic matter.
- A global study using cotton strips to measure decomposition rates revealed hotspots of accelerated carbon release in highly populated and agricultural areas.
- The findings highlight significant impacts on carbon cycling in rivers, emphasizing the need for careful nutrient management to mitigate environmental damage.
Key quote:
"What was shocking about our data was that even though we were selecting these relatively minimally impacted sites, we could still see hotspots where humans have really had an impact."
— Krista Capps, aquatic ecosystem ecologist at the University of Georgia
Why this matters:
Rivers play a crucial role in carbon storage, but increased decomposition rates driven by human activities threaten to turn these ecosystems into sources of carbon emissions. When rivers are healthy and ecosystems intact, they sequester carbon through vegetation and sediment processes. But when overloaded with pollutants and subject to habitat destruction, they begin releasing carbon instead. This shift contributes additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, further accelerating climate change.
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Credit: devilkae/Big Stock Photo
China's renewable energy plans pose threats to the Mekong and Salween rivers
China's decarbonization strategy could harm farmland and transboundary rivers like the Mekong and Salween, a study warns.
In short:
- China's energy decarbonization plan aims for 2060 but could negatively impact crucial river systems and farmland.
- Hydropower expansion in the Mekong and Salween basins could exacerbate existing environmental problems, including river fragmentation and altered flood cycles.
- Alternative solutions, like reducing electricity demand and investing in emerging technologies, are essential to mitigate these impacts.
Key quote:
“If we think of any major technological change, they always have costs and unintended consequences. The sooner we realize and address them, the more sustainable and equitable the energy transition will be.”
— Stefano Galelli, associate professor, Cornell University
Why this matters:
While hydropower is often championed as a clean energy source, its implementation in these vital regions could significantly worsen existing environmental problems. The construction of dams and reservoirs along these rivers threatens to fragment river ecosystems, disrupting the natural flow and connectivity essential for maintaining biodiversity.
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Credit: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Virginia's aquatic life faces changes due to warming waters
Rising water temperatures across Virginia are altering the aquatic ecosystem, impacting species from the Chesapeake Bay to inland rivers.
In short:
- Virginia's warming water temperatures, attributed to climate change and environmental alterations such as deforestation, are disrupting the habitat and behaviors of aquatic and amphibian species.
- Key species like the American shad have seen significant declines, with shifts in spawning times and reduced populations highlighting broader ecosystem challenges.
- Conservation efforts are underway, including habitat restoration and policy adjustments, to mitigate temperature impacts and protect vulnerable species.
Key quote:
"Even though it might not seem like a big deal, sustained higher temperatures can really damage the intricate balance of species that call those water bodies home."
— Jeremy Hoffman, director of climate justice and impact at Groundwork USA
Why this matters:
Warming waters can cause significant changes to habitats such as wetlands and marshes. These areas provide important habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, serve as natural buffers against storm surges and flooding, and help to filter pollutants from runoff. With rising temperatures, these habitats may shrink or shift, impacting the wildlife that depends on them and reducing their effectiveness in protecting coastal communities from environmental hazards.
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Image by Margit Wallner from Pixabay
Michigan steps up dam removal in race against climate change
As climate change threatens to warm Michigan rivers, dam removal can drive temperatures down by several degrees overnight. An influx of state and federal money has boosted removal efforts, but advocates say more is needed.
Photo by Brad Weaver on Unsplash
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduces water trigger bill to close fracking loophole
A Greens senator and an independent are hoping to urgently close a legal loophole that allows fracking corporations "a license to drill without regard for rivers".
Photo by Brad Weaver on Unsplash
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduces water trigger bill to close fracking loophole
A Greens senator and an independent are hoping to urgently close a legal loophole that allows fracking corporations "a license to drill without regard for rivers".
Photo by Hrant Khachatryan on Unsplash
In rush for key metals, Canada ushers miners to its fragile north
Canada is offering incentives to mining companies to dig in its northern regions for the critical minerals needed for EVs and solar panels. But based on past abuses, critics fear carbon-rich peatlands will be lost, wild rivers polluted, and enormous cleanup projects left behind.
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