Tag Archives: Mitigate

Can Reusable Rockets Mitigate the Risks of Solar Geoengineering?

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Rockets can transport cooling aerosols to high altitudes

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Reusable rockets designed to deliver sun-reflecting aerosols into the upper stratosphere could help cool the planet. However, this fleet of climate-modifying rockets presents its own challenges.

The increase in global temperatures has led to a surge in research on solar geoengineering, a controversial method aimed at cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight. The most recognized technique, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), entails continuously releasing reflective particles, such as sulfur dioxide, into the stratosphere.

Typically, researchers believe that aerosols will be released from cargo aircraft flying at around 20 km high. Climate models suggest that this could offset warming caused by rising greenhouse gas levels. Nonetheless, it also presents numerous other climate risks, some of which are unknown.

One significant concern is that the aerosols absorb sunlight, warming the stratosphere itself, even while surface temperatures cool. Because of wind patterns, aerosols tend to cluster in the tropical stratosphere, resulting in more warming than in other areas of the atmosphere. This can disrupt jet streams and circulation patterns that influence global weather.

Aerosols may also hasten ozone depletion caused by chlorine, potentially postponing the recovery of ozone holes over Antarctica by as much as 50 years.

Pengfei Yu from Jinan University in China and his team explored whether injecting aerosols at much greater heights—50 kilometers in the upper stratosphere—would change these dynamics. They discovered that high-altitude injections could yield greater cooling benefits than lower altitude methods, as aerosols persist longer, particularly at the poles. This additional height also prevents the aerosols from warming the lower stratosphere until they reach the poles, avoiding the harmful heating in the tropical stratosphere.

Finally, researchers found that these aerosols interact with another chemical that depletes ozone, which results in only a five-year delay in ozone recovery. “We weren’t aware that [injecting at] 50 kilometers offered such a different perspective,” says Yu.

Since planes cannot reach nearly 50 km, researchers propose using rockets. They estimate that deploying 80 reusable, hydrogen-powered rockets every other day could inject between 3 million and 8 million tonnes of aerosols annually, which they say falls within current technological capabilities.

While this scenario may be theoretically feasible, it is likely to be significantly more complex than traditional SAI approaches, according to Douglas McMartin at Cornell University in New York. Some advantages, such as preventing warming in the tropical stratosphere, can be more easily achieved by focusing on higher latitudes instead of high altitudes.

“It may rise higher in the atmosphere for increased efficiency, but the costs are astronomical in comparison,” he states.

Moreover, the high-altitude method does not fully mitigate many risks associated with solar geoengineering, including the rapid temperature increase that could follow if injection ceases. “What happens if the rockets fail on the ground?” Yu questions. “That’s a legitimate concern.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The negative impact of daylight saving time on health and how to mitigate it

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It feels harsh. Being forced to sacrifice valuable sleep is tough. In the United States, Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin on March 9, 2025. At 2am local time, the clock will spring forward an hour, skipping straight to 3am.

Not only does this make the following day feel a bit groggy, but experts are growing concerned about the potential negative impacts of the DST switch on our health.

“When the clock changes, there is a slight increase in stroke, heart attack, car accidents, and sleep loss,” says Vanderbilt’s Director of Sleep, Dr. Beth Malow to BBC Science Focus.

The effects of this time shift are felt not only by the youth but also by older individuals. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2015 found that teenagers lose approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes of weekday sleep after the time change.

Mallow continues, “It has health repercussions for nearly eight months due to the shift in light exposure from the morning and evening times.”

“Morning light is essential for waking up, regulating our biological clock, and enhancing our mood. We use light therapy in the morning to treat seasonal affective disorders and improve sleep quality. Exposure to morning light supports nighttime sleep, while evening light disrupts it.”

However, all hope is not lost. Here are some simple strategies to alleviate the impact of losing that hour:

1. Back up your bedtime for a few days before the clock change

While it may be too late this time, keep this in mind for the future. Sleep experts recommend gradually shifting your bedtime 15-20 minutes earlier each night leading up to the time change.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sudden changes in sleep schedules, such as switching to daylight saving time, can lead to temporary insomnia symptoms affecting about 30-35% of adults.

By easing into it gradually, Malow suggests, “you can adjust to the new time and get a bit more sleep in the process.”

If you’re short on time and feeling drowsy, going to bed earlier on the night of the time change can also be helpful.

2. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning

Daylight Saving Time aims to provide an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. While this is ideal for post-work socializing, it may disrupt natural sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.

To help you wake up in the morning and consequently sleep better at night, exposing yourself to bright light is crucial. Malow recommends natural light for this purpose, especially as the sun rises earlier during the summer months.

“Morning bright light exposure helps synchronize your biological clock,” she explains. “Aligning your clock will improve your nighttime sleep.”

3. Avoid lengthy naps and late-day caffeine. Opt for exercise instead

If you enjoy taking naps (who doesn’t?), this news may be disappointing. However, if you want to maintain good sleep, avoiding long naps is essential.

“Naps and caffeine impair our ‘sleep drive’,” Malow clarifies. Her solution? Engage in physical exercise instead.

“Physical activity in the afternoon energizes us during that afternoon slump, but comes bedtime, it promotes sleepiness. It enhances our sleep drive,” she adds.

But remember, avoid exercising just before bedtime, as it can stimulate endorphins and raise body temperature, both of which can interfere with sleep.

4. Put away your phone before bedtime

You’ve likely heard this advice before, but it remains just as relevant, particularly when the clock springs forward an hour. Bright light at night, especially from screens emitting blue light, can disrupt your sleep.

Blue light, found in LED screens, inhibits the natural release of melatonin in the brain, a hormone that regulates sleep. Additionally, content like news can trigger anxiety before bed.

Perhaps it’s time to eliminate daylight saving time

While the aforementioned strategies can minimize the impact of the time change, many experts are calling for the abolishment of this antiquated practice entirely.

So, should standard time become the new norm?

Alice Gregory, a psychology professor at Goldsmith’s, believes so. She argues that permanent standard time aligns better with our circadian rhythms compared to daylight saving time.

Mallow echoes this sentiment, stating, “Most individuals are quite fatigued by the interaction.”

About our experts:

Dr. Beth Malow is a neurology and pediatrics professor, Director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, Chair of Barry Donations for Cognitive Childhood Development, and Vice-Chair of Clinical Research at Vanderbilt University, USA. She is board-certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine, conducting research on sleep and its medical and genetic implications.

Alice Gregory is a psychology professor at Goldsmith’s. She conducts research on the link between sleep and mental health, behavioral genetics, sleep paralysis, and nightmare disorder. She is also a prolific science communicator, publishing articles in various outlets like Guardian, GQ UK, and Slate fr.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

US government considers taxing Bitcoin to mitigate environmental effects

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Bitcoin mining is linked to rising electricity prices

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The US government has proposed taxing crypto miners to reduce the industry's heavy environmental impact, but experts say the measure could simply shift the problem elsewhere. It warns that there is.

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are kept secure through a process called mining, which involves intensive calculations and large amounts of power consumption. According to the latest data from the University of Cambridge, Bitcoin is 0.69% of all electricity used worldwide.

In America, the government Estimate Up to 2.3 percent of the nation's electricity use in 2023 will come from just 137 mining operations, and electricity rates in Texas are increasing by 5 percent. Directly linked to increased demand Caused by miners.President Joe Biden's 2025 budget proposal Cryptocurrency mining “has the potential to harm the environment, increase energy prices for those who share power grids with digital asset miners, as well as have environmental justice implications.”

The budget therefore proposes a 30% tax on miners' total energy costs, which would apply to both electricity from the grid and electricity generated by miners themselves. It will be phased in, with 10 percent starting in 2025, 20 percent in 2026, and finally 30 percent in 2027. A similar tax was proposed by Biden last year but did not pass. Although passed by the House and Senate and signed into law, this second attempt now faces hurdles.

The move, which comes as Bitcoin has soared to an all-time high of more than £56,000 in recent weeks, has drawn heavy criticism from the crypto industry.Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund tweeted It claimed this was a “backdoor ban” on mining and promised: “We will vigorously oppose this attempt at targeted discrimination without hesitation!”

new scientist Several large Bitcoin mining companies have been approached for comment on the proposed tax. Block Mining, Frontier Mining, and HIVE Digital Technologies did not respond, while TeraWulf declined to comment.

But taxing the industry could have unintended consequences. alex de vries At VU Amsterdam in the Netherlands. China's ban on bitcoin mining in 2021 has prompted companies to move operations to countries such as Kazakhstan, where more than 90% of the country's electricity supply comes from fossil fuels such as coal.

“Perhaps it doesn’t actually solve anything, because mining operations are highly mobile and can be based anywhere, moving from country to country in search of better regulatory environments or cheaper power.” They won’t, says De Vries. “Climate change is a global problem, and moving emissions from one country to another, or worsening power supplies, is actually making the global problem worse.”

“Ideally, we would like to address this issue at a global level,” says de Vries. “You want to reduce the emissions of these miners.” De Vries has long advocated for Bitcoin to follow the lead of the cryptocurrency Ethereum, which has changed the way it operates. changed, abolished mining, and reduced power consumption by 99.99%. But most Bitcoin developers weren’t interested in the change, he said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Here’s why daylight saving time can harm your health and how to mitigate its effects

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It feels unfair. I will be sacrificing an hour of sleep tonight.

With Daylight Saving Time (DST) starting in the United States in the summer, the clocks are set to move forward by an hour tonight at 2 a.m. local time. This means the new local daylight saving time will be 3:00 AM.

Scientists are expressing concerns that apart from causing sleepiness, the transition to daylight saving time could have adverse effects on our health. According to Dr. Beth Murrow, a neurology professor and director of Vanderbilt’s sleep division, the clock change leads to a slight increase in strokes, heart attacks, car accidents, and sleep deprivation.

The impact of “springing forward” is not limited to the elderly but also affects young people. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that teenagers lost an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes of sleep on weeknights after the time change in a 2015 study.

Dr. Murrow emphasizes the importance of morning light for setting our body clocks, improving mood, and aiding sleep. She suggests that the shift in light from morning to evening due to changing clocks for almost eight months could have health effects.

Despite the challenges posed by losing an hour of sleep, there are practical tips to counteract the effects:

1. Adjust your bedtime earlier for a few days before the clock change.

Experts recommend gradually going to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night in the week leading up to daylight saving time.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine mentions that around 30 to 35 percent of adults experience temporary insomnia symptoms due to sudden changes in sleep schedules, such as the clock change.

Adapting slowly to the new time can help ease the transition and provide some extra rest,” says Dr. Murrow.

2. Get exposure to bright light in the morning

Daylight Saving Time aims to extend daylight in the evening, but this may disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle. Exposing yourself to natural light in the morning can help set your body clock, making it easier to sleep at night.

3. Avoid long naps and late-day caffeine, opt for exercise instead

Avoiding long naps and caffeine late in the day can help regulate your sleep. Instead, engage in physical activity which can promote better sleep at night.

Exercise should be done at least 90 minutes before bedtime to avoid disruptions in sleep caused by increased endorphins and core body temperature.

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4. Limit screen time before bed

Exposure to blue light from screens like cell phones can interfere with melatonin production, affecting sleep. Try to avoid using electronic devices before bedtime to promote better sleep.

Watching content with blue light before bed, like news, can hinder relaxation and sleep after the clock change.

Consider abolishing Daylight Saving Time

Many experts suggest abandoning Daylight Saving Time due to its negative impacts on health. Living on Standard Time year-round could have health benefits compared to Daylight Saving Time’s schedule changes.

Dr. Murrow and Professor Alice Gregory advocate for a permanent Standard Time to align better with our natural circadian rhythms and improve overall well-being.

About our experts:

Dr. Beth Murrow is a neurology and sleep medicine professor, director of Vanderbilt’s Sleep Division, and advocate for sleep research related to medical conditions and genetics.

Alice Gregory, a psychology professor at Goldsmiths University, has contributed to various areas of sleep research and promotes public engagement with science through her work and publications.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com