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China issues new pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions — is it now a global leader in climate action?
By Elise Poore published
China has committed to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% by 2035 — but is this going to cut it? Tell us what you think.

Extreme weather caused more than $100 billion in damage by June — smashing US records
By James Price published
After damaging wildfires in LA, tornadoes and series of floods, the first six months of this year smashed multiple extreme weather records in the U.S., data show — and experts say this trend is likely to continue.

Coral Triangle: The giant hidden 'Amazon' beneath the sea that appears somewhat resilient to climate change
By Sascha Pare published
The Coral Triangle is an extremely biodiverse patch of ocean around the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Its relatively murky waters appear to shield it against climate change — for now.

Satellites detected strange gravity signal coming from deep within Earth almost 20 years ago, study reveals
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers have discovered there was an anomaly in Earth's gravitational field between 2006 and 2008, potentially caused by a mineral shift deep within Earth's mantle. GRACE satellites detected a strange gravity signal at the time.

Scientists discover gold nanoparticles hidden in spruce tree needles
By Richard Pallardy published
Spruce tree needles contain tiny gold particles — and they could indicate large gold deposits beneath the surface.

The Red Sea experienced 'one of the most extreme environmental events on Earth' 6 million years ago
By Stephanie Pappas published
The Red Sea became a desert about 6.2 million years ago, before a massive flood from the Indian Ocean turned it into a waterway again.

The whale-shaped island in Belize with a 'great blue blowhole'
By Harry Baker published
Earth from space This 2020 astronaut photo shows the unusual cetacean-like shape of Belize's Lighthouse Reef. It's home to the famous Great Blue Hole, which doubles as the island's "blowhole" when viewed from space.

Massive system of rotating ocean currents in the North Atlantic is behaving strangely — and it may be reaching a tipping point
By Sascha Pare published
An analysis of clam shells suggests the North Atlantic subpolar gyre has had two periods of destabilization over the past 150 years: one around 1920 and the other from 1950 through present.

Plate tectonics may be why Earth has life — and the key to finding life elsewhere in the universe
By Stephanie Pappas published
Feature Emerging evidence suggests that plate tectonics, or the recycling of Earth's crust, may have begun much earlier than previously thought — and may be a big reason that our planet harbors life.
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