Changes in clouds and the ozone layer reveal human impacts on the atmosphere

Changes in clouds and the ozone layer reveal human impacts on the atmosphere


Human activity has a significant impact on the Earth’s atmosphere. The disastrous consequences of changes to the atmosphere have been widely researched regarding carbon emissions, but changing cloud formation and holes in the ozone layer play significant roles as well. Clouds are responsible for simultaneously reflecting the sun’s heat and trapping it in the atmosphere. The ozone serves as a protective layer in absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is predicted that as climate change progresses, clouds will diminish in frequency, allowing more solar energy to reach the Earth.

Impacts of long-term sleep deprivation

Impacts of long-term sleep deprivation

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that young adults should sleep for 7-9 hours per evening. For a college student who takes an 8 a.m. class, that means going to sleep before midnight to get eight hours of sleep, not including the time necessary to get ready in the morning or have breakfast.

Weekly Climate News

Feb. 25, 2021

  • The European Union has poured 440 million euros into failed or incomplete gas pipeline projects in the past decade.  

  • The United States has officially rejoined the Paris Agreement. 

  • Avalanche warnings have been issued for areas in Washington and Oregon due to recent rain and snowfall.  

  • A Russian gas tanker has foraged a round trip along the Northern Sea Route, marking the first time a ship has made the voyage across the Arctic at this time of year. The trip was made possible due to melting sea ice. 

  • The Perseverance Mars rover has captured pictures and videos from its recent descent onto Mars. 

  • John Kerry, U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, said there are nine years left to avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis.

  • Despite a damaged economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. had a record-breaking number of renewable energy installations in 2020. Wind and solar energy increased by 61 percent, adding 33.6 gigawatts of energy to the grid and producing enough energy to power about 11 million American homes for one year. 

  • While the Earth faces a looming crisis of animal species extinction, many animals that were projected to be completely eradicated have been recovering.  

Celebrating Black Environmentalists

Celebrating Black Environmentalists

Over the past year, widespread connections between racism, poverty and environmental inequality have been made clear. The life and work of the following Black environmentalists acknowledge these connections and advocate for an inclusive climate movement while simultaneously protesting the racism in its roots.

Infrastructure Adapts to a Changing Climate

Infrastructure Adapts to a Changing Climate

To meet goals outlined by the Paris Agreement, a measure of energy inefficiency called the “energy intensity” per square meter of buildings requires a 30 percent increase by 2030, according to the World Green Building Council. Climate change is at least partially considered in most building codes, as buildings around the world are designed to withstand natural disasters. Yet it is often up to individual builders and contractors to go beyond codes for improving building performance and minimizing environmental impacts. Working with architects, both old and new cities are making eco-friendly enhancements.

Plant-Based Seafood Emerges as a Possible Solution to Overfishing

Plant-Based Seafood Emerges as a Possible Solution to Overfishing

With seafood consumption rising globally, plant-based alternatives have also arisen to meet the environmental challenges presented by overfishing and overconsumption.

Weekly Climate News

Feb. 18, 2021

  • Air pollution has been confirmed to result in 1 in 5 deaths annually around the world. 

  • A NASA research team is going back to researching cloud formations after being impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. They are working to understand how variations in aerosol particles from human and natural sources affect clouds. 

  • A winter storm hit Texas, leaving many in frigid temperatures without power and electricity.  

  • Elon Musk announced a four-year-long carbon capture contest that will award $100 million funding for the development of carbon removal technology. 

  • U.S. government scientists said that America has the potential for a carbon-free future by 2050 if projected changes to wind and solar power are made. 

  • Disha Ravi, a climate activist in India, was placed in jail for sharing information about the farmers’ protest with Greta Thunberg. 

  • The U.K. government put a stop to construction plans for a deep coal mine after accusations of hypocrisy in regard to its current climate action arose. 

  • Protests began in northern Minnesota to halt the progress of Line 3, an oil pipeline from the U.S. to Canada. 


Cart (0)