Scientific news in small doses

A few milligrams of all the scientific news of the week.

Beware of solar geoengineering

Scientists are warning about solar geoengineering, a controversial technique to reduce solar radiation on Earth. In particular, this plans to project aerosols into the stratosphere, which would allow the Sun’s rays to be deflected into space. Such a technique could help reduce global warming. Besides the many consequences of such an approach, it will not be temporary, as its proponents claim, according to scientists affiliated with the European Geosciences Union. Solar geoengineering would need to be carried out for at least a century to achieve noticeable effects on global warming, the researchers report. Rather than playing sorcerer’s apprentice, scientists point out that there is another method for combating climate change: reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Quiz

How deep has a slug-shaped fish been observed in the Pacific Ocean?

A team of Japanese and Australian scientists managed to photograph such a fish Pseudoliparis at a depth of over 8300 meters in the Pacific Ocean. The image was immortalized last August thanks to a mini submarine responsible for studying the bottoms of the northern portion of the Pacific. Note that the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, rises to 8848 meters.

The number

1924.99 ppb

Methane concentration in the atmosphere hit a record high last December, at 1924.99 parts per billion (ppb). It peaked at 1908.84 ppb in December 2021. Methane is a greenhouse gas whose warming power is much higher than CO₂, but its lifespan is much shorter. Methane would be responsible for 30% of global warming observed since the pre-industrial era.

Save animal species to fight global warming

Saving nine animal species could contribute to the fight against global warming. This is the surprising conclusion of a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. A team of international researchers estimates that protecting six animal populations and promoting the expansion of three others could remove 6.4 billion tonnes of CO each year.₂ of the atmosphere. These animals indeed store large amounts of carbon in their bodies. To achieve this, the populations of reef sharks, gray wolves, wildebeest, sea otters, muskoxen and marine fish should be maintained at their current levels. Elephant populations should also be increased. forests in Africa, bison in the Americas and whales in the southern hemisphere.

A glimpse of the melting of glaciers to come?

By the end of the last ice age, 15,000 to 19,000 years ago, the ice cap covering Eurasia had shrunk dramatically, by up to 610 meters per day, a team of British and Norwegian researchers recently calculated. Data that the researchers say can give an idea of ​​how fast Antarctica’s icy surfaces could melt over the next few decades. Currently, glaciers in Antarctica are melting at a rate of about 15 meters per day. However, the melting of the ice will accelerate in an increasingly warm world, warn scientists. The study was published in the journal Nature.