Despite Antarctic Gains, Global Sea Ice Is Shrinking

One of the reasons people care about sea ice decreases is because sea ice is highly reflective, whereas the liquid ocean is very absorptive. When sea ice coverage is reduced, less sunlight is reflected back into space and more is trapped in the atmosphere, ocean, and land.

Global is the New Local: Pollution Changes Clouds, Climate Downstream

The residents of Beijing and Delhi are not the only ones feeling the effects of Asian air pollution, an unwanted byproduct of coal-fired economic development. The continent’s tainted air is known to cross the Pacific Ocean, adding to homegrown air-quality problems on the U.S. West Coast.

To Save Coral Reefs, First Save the Mangroves

With coral reefs in decline and NOAA calling for a larger protected area for reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Geological Survey scientists are pointing out another strategy to save reefs: First save the mangroves.