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Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) have highlighted a significant decline in the Earth’s planetary albedo as a possible cause of the sharp rise in global temperatures in 2023. This decline, tied to a reduction in low-altitude clouds, has been identified as a key factor contributing to the global mean temperature increase of nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a record-breaking figure. According to Dr Helge Goessling, climate modeller at AWI and lead author of the study, in a statement, this phenomenon has created an “explanation gap” of 0.2 degree Celsius in the recorded temperature rise that existing factors like greenhouse gases, El Niño, and volcanic activity fail to address.

Low Cloud Decline and Reflectivity Loss

The study was published in Science. The research has pointed to a marked reduction in low-altitude cloud cover, particularly in the northern mid-latitudes and tropics, as a primary driver of reduced planetary albedo. Dr Thomas Rackow, a co-author of the study, noted in a statement that in AWI’s release, 2023 saw the lowest levels of planetary albedo since at least 1940, according to data from NASA and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Albedo is a measure of the Earth’s reflectivity, with less sunlight being reflected back into space, contributing to further warming.

Implications of the Findings

The decline in low-altitude clouds, which offer a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight, contrasts with higher clouds that trap heat, intensifying the warming effect. Stricter marine fuel regulations, reducing aerosol concentrations that aid cloud formation, and oceanic changes have been proposed as contributing factors. However, Dr Goessling has suggested that feedback loops between global warming and low cloud reduction may play a significant role.

The findings underscore the urgency of revising global carbon budgets and implementing adaptation measures, as warming beyond the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement may occur sooner than anticipated, as per reports. Climate researchers continue to stress the critical need for immediate action to address these compounding challenges.

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New Soil Carbon Measurement Method Could Boost Trust in Carbon Credit Markets

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January 20, 2025

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New Soil Carbon Measurement Method Could Boost Trust in Carbon Credit Markets

Direct soil carbon measurement techniques are being explored as a method to improve accuracy in carbon credit markets, especially in agriculture. Measuring stored soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide solid data on the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices. It is believed that this method will enhance the reliability of carbon credits, offering greater confidence to buyers and better supporting global climate goals. Soil carbon measurement is also being recognised as a tool to boost soil health and agricultural sustainability.

Reliable Verification of Soil Carbon Changes

According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters, using direct soil carbon measurement methods alongside epidemiology-based study designs could address the challenges of verifying carbon storage. By sampling approximately 10 percent of fields across large areas, the research team demonstrated that carbon storage could be accurately measured over extended periods. These findings indicate that scaling up direct measurement techniques may offer a cost-effective alternative to predictive models in carbon credit markets.

Expert Insights on Soil Health and Climate Benefits

Mark Bradford, E.H. Harriman Professor of Soils and Ecosystem Ecology at Yale School of the Environment, noted in the study’s findings that direct measurements could extend beyond carbon markets. When talking to phys.org, he highlighted their potential for validating greenhouse gas accounting and supporting national emission reporting. This approach could also improve soil biodiversity, nutrient retention and resilience to extreme weather, leading to enhanced food security.

Technological Tools Supporting Farmers

To assist farmers, Eric Potash, research scientist at the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center, developed an open-source application enabling users to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of soil carbon projects. This tool helps calculate profitability based on variables like project size and sampling strategies.

As noted by the study’s authors, addressing measurement concerns is key to supporting policies and investments that protect soil health. By ensuring accurate and scalable carbon storage verification, this approach aims to strengthen confidence in the environmental and economic benefits of climate-smart agriculture.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests

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January 20, 2025

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Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests

A significant revelation about the dietary habits of early human ancestors suggests a strong reliance on plant-based foods rather than meat consumption. Evidence from fossilised teeth of Australopithecus africanus has provided a clearer picture of their dietary preferences. These findings, based on the chemical composition of tooth enamel, indicate that this early bipedal species, existing over 3 million years ago, may have subsisted largely on vegetation and possibly other non-meat sources of energy.

Study Analyses Fossilised Teeth for Clues

According to a study published in Science, researchers analysed nitrogen-bearing organic material within the enamel of fossilised teeth from Australopithecus africanus. A total of 43 specimens from the Sterkfontein caves in South Africa, including seven individuals of the species, were examined. The nitrogen isotopic ratios present in the samples were compared to those of other extinct mammals from the same site and to modern African mammals. These comparisons revealed that the early humans’ diet was variable but lacked a significant proportion of mammalian meat.

Implications for Early Human Evolution

As explained by Dr Tina Lüdecke, geochemist at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, to Science News, the findings provide insights into the dietary behaviours of early ancestors. The absence of a meat-rich diet suggests that adaptations such as bipedalism, shorter snouts, and the ability to thrive in savanna ecosystems likely preceded the consumption of high-protein meat. These traits are believed to have played a role in early human survival and ecological success.

Possible Protein Sources Beyond Meat

Dr Lüdecke further noted that occasional consumption of meat or energy-rich termites by A. africanus cannot be ruled out. Termites, being a reliable food source, might have contributed to their diet without influencing the nitrogen isotopic markers significantly. Observations of modern apes fishing for termites reinforce this possibility.

This research lays the groundwork for future investigations into dietary transitions among later human species, potentially shedding more light on the role of diet in human evolution.

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Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt, WWII Lost Treasures



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Lost and Found: Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt!

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January 20, 2025

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Lost and Found: Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt!

Fossil evidence of a massive horned dinosaur has been rediscovered through previously unseen photographs of remains destroyed during World War II. The dinosaur, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, lived approximately 95 million years ago in what is now Egypt. Spanning an estimated length of 33 feet, the species is considered one of the largest known terrestrial predators. The fossils were initially unearthed in 1914 in Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis and housed in Germany before being lost in a wartime bombing.

Revelation Through Archived Images

According to the study published in PLOS One, the fossils had been mistakenly classified as belonging to the Carcharodontosaurus group. Newly discovered photographs, stored in the Huene Archive at the University of Tübingen, revealed features such as a prominent horn and an enlarged braincase, differentiating the specimen from others in the group. Maximilian Kellermann, a doctoral student at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology, noted the significant distinctions upon reviewing the photographs. Speaking to Live Science, he expressed initial confusion, followed by excitement as the differences became apparent.

Historical Context and Classification Changes

The fossils were originally categorised by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer, who associated them with specimens from Algeria. Over time, additional Carcharodontosaurus fossils were discovered, with a skull from Morocco becoming the representative specimen for the group. However, comparisons of Stromer’s documentation and illustrations with the archived photographs revealed substantial variances, prompting the classification of a new genus and species.

Implications for Dinosaur Diversity

Researchers believe this finding highlights a richer diversity of dinosaur life in North Africa than previously understood. Kellermann suggested further exploration of Stromer’s archives could provide new insights into other species from the region, such as Deltadromeus and Spinosaurus, which may also require reclassification. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting historical data to refine knowledge of prehistoric ecosystems.

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