Latest news with #JoshWillis
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists sound alarm after new NASA report reveals concerning phenomenon in oceans: 'Earth's expanding oceans are following suit'
The rate at which sea levels rise is increasing, researchers say, and last year the levels climbed more than 30% over what was expected. NASA announced that global sea levels rose by 0.23 inches in 2024, exceeding the predicted rise of 0.17 inches. The rate has more than doubled since satellites started recording ocean heights in 1993. And since that time, the sea level has risen by 4 inches. "The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected," researcher Josh Willis said in a statement. "Every year is a little bit different, but what's clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster." As NDTV reports, the majority of that 2024 increase came from the thermal expansion of water within oceans. In past years, most of the rise came from melting glaciers. Typically, warm water floats on top of cooler, denser water in the ocean, and the heat only moves slowly down. But extremely windy weather — such as the severe weather that occurs more often as the climate warms — can cause that water to mix vertically, increasing its temperature and causing it to expand. "With 2024 as the warmest year on record, Earth's expanding oceans are following suit, reaching their highest levels in three decades," NASA's Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer said. Scientists have predicted that, if the planet continues down this path, sea levels by 2100 could be at least 1.4 feet higher and up to 6.6 feet higher. That could wipe out entire coastal cities. The way to stop, or reverse, rising sea levels is to stop the planet's warming trend. On an individual level, understanding what issues impact the climate is the first step. From there, you can take actions in your everyday life that will decrease your carbon footprint. Whether the action is small, such as using less plastic, or large, such as switching to an electric vehicle, it can make a difference. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you live in an area prone to extreme weather, make sure you are well-prepared. That could include installing solar panels, which, in conjunction with a battery system, can ensure you have power when you need it without relying on a grid that may be prone to lengthy outages. Using free tools, such as those offered by EnergySage, can save you thousands of dollars on a solar installation, in part by helping you compare quotes from vetted installers. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Personal trainer and sports coach to launch new gym in north Norfolk
A personal trainer and sports coach are joining forces to open a new gym in north Norfolk. With five years of experience as a personal trainer, Josh Willis and sports coach Hannah Carter are opening Carter's Gym in North Walsham. The pair saw a "gap in the market" for weight space gyms in the area that are not bodybuilding-focused. The pair wants to create a space where people feel comfortable using weight equipment (Image: Carter's Gym) The new space hopes to target those who lack confidence surrounding the use of weights. "I have a good clientele at the moment who will be joining me over here and I will continue to offer friendly service to help build people's confidence," Mr Willis said. 'We have received a really good response so far and now it is finally kicking in the excitement is building." READ MORE: Gym goers can expect a range of weight equipment as well as cardio machines. Personal training sessions and small group classes limited to eight people to ensure "a more personalised experience" will also be on offer. "With it just being the two of us at the moment, we are a gym for our members,' Ms Carter added. READ MORE: Norfolk's largest taxi operator rebrands after 30 years Carter's Gym is opening at the end of June (Image: Carter's Gym) "We will act on our members' feedback as we want to show them that their money is being put back into the gym." Carter's Gym is opening in Robertson House, Laundry Loke, at the end of June. A monthly direct debit membership is on offer for £28.99, small group training sessions for members cost £6 and personal training is £30 an hour.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA issues warning after sudden change in the ocean surprises scientists: 'Getting faster and faster'
An abrupt rise in global sea level last year has raised concerns. The increase was more than what scientists had been expecting, a NASA-led analysis revealed. A higher-than-usual amount of ocean warming, along with meltwater from land-based ice, caused a jump in sea level that surprised scientists. The rate of rise in 2024 was 0.23 inches per year, more than the rate of 0.17 that forecasters had projected. "The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected," said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, per ABC News. "Every year is a little bit different, but what's clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster." NASA blamed the rise mostly on the expansion of ocean water as it warms, a process known as thermal expansion. In recent years, approximately two-thirds of sea level rise resulted from land-based ice melt, while one-third was due to thermal expansion. However, in 2024, this trend reversed — thermal expansion accounted for two-thirds of the rise. The average yearly rise in sea level has more than doubled since NASA started using satellites to measure global sea level rise in 1993, with the global sea level increasing by a total of 4 inches. Officials in Northern California have warned that environmental changes from rising sea levels are already being experienced in the region. A Central American Indigenous community is at risk of relocation because of the threat of flooding from rising sea levels on their small island. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said rising seas will worsen storm surges as water levels climb along coastlines. "Higher background water levels mean that deadly and destructive storm surges, such as those associated with Hurricane Katrina, 'Superstorm' Sandy, and Hurricane Michael, push farther inland than they once did," according to a NOAA report. "Higher sea level also means more frequent high-tide flooding, sometimes called 'nuisance flooding' because it isn't generally deadly or dangerous, but it can be disruptive and expensive." Bringing awareness to critical climate issues, including the impacts of rising sea levels, by talking with friends and family can help people see the importance of cooling down our overheating planet. Another way to help is by voting for candidates who pledge to fight for the future of Earth. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Reveals 'Higher Than Expected' Sea Level Rise in 2024
As global warming continues to melt Earth's glaciers, sea level rise hits all new heights. However, in 2024 a different mechanism caused most of this water volume increase. "The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected," says NASA oceanographer Josh Willis. "Every year is a little bit different, but what's clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster." Given past trends, NASA had predicted an increase of 0.43 cm (0.17 in) rise in 2024, but that soared to 0.59 cm (0.23 in). These figures are from measurements taken by five international satellites since 1992. The latest, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, is capable of measuring sea surface height down to a few centimeters for 90 percent of Earth's oceans. Researchers have long suspected unaccounted-for feedback loops would accelerate sea level rise beyond predictions, and we may now be witnessing the results. Up until now, Earth's melting glaciers accounted for up to two-thirds of the sea level rise each year, but this too unexpectedly switched last year. In 2024, two-thirds of sea level rise was caused by thermal expansion of liquid seawater, NASA found, despite the loss of glacial ice also still accelerating. Warmer water is less dense, so it takes up more room than cold water – and following Earth's record atmospheric heat, our oceans were the warmest they've been in three decades of records. What's more, oceans mostly arrange themselves into neat layers of different temperatures, with the warmest, least dense waters at the top. But increased heat energy in our atmosphere is fueling more storms and faster winds to more thoroughly mix these layers, sending more heat into lower layers faster, further increasing ocean temperatures and the resulting sea level rise. These changes in wind patterns are driving some areas of the ocean to heat two to three times more than the global average. The resulting marine heatwaves are slaughtering billions of sea creatures and devastating the fisheries that depend on them. As well as causing increased flooding, as the oceans rise they inundate major rivers like the Ganges with saltwater. Between this incursion and the decrease of seasonal glacial meltwater, humanity's supply of fresh water is fast diminishing. Without intervention, this could eventually force entire populations to migrate in search of this vital resource. The only way to lessen these impacts is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Every fraction of a degree we can reduce future warming will save lives. Microplastics Persist in Drinking Water Despite Treatment Plant Advances The Rare Vibration Phenomenon That May Explain Europe's Huge Blackout Bed Bugs Appear to Have a Genetic Resistance to Pesticides
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Unexpected sea level rise threatens coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity
Sea level rise is a major global issue driven by climate change, primarily due to melting ice caps and the thermal expansion of seawater. Higher sea levels lead to more frequent and severe coastal flooding. Increased erosion have seen threatening coastal infrastructure and communities around the world. Globally, sea level rose faster than expected in 2024, mostly because of ocean water expanding as it warms, or thermal expansion. According to a recent Nasa-led analysis, last year's rate of rise was 0.23 inches (0.59 centimetres) per year, compared to the expected rate of 0.17 inches (0.43 centimetres) per year. 'The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected,' said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. 'Every year is a little bit different, but what's clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster.' In recent years, about two-thirds of sea level rise was from the addition of water from land into the ocean by melting ice sheets and glaciers. About a third came from thermal expansion of seawater. But in 2024, those contributions flipped, with two-thirds of sea level rise coming from thermal expansion. 'With 2024 as the warmest year on record, Earth's expanding oceans are following suit, reaching their highest levels in three decades,' said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, head of physical oceanography programmes and the Integrated Earth System Observatory at Nasa Headquarters in Washington. Since the satellite record of ocean height began in 1993, the rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled. In total, global sea level has gone up by 4 inches (10 centimetres) since 1993, noted Jane J Lee of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. According to Nasa, there are several ways in which heat makes its way into the ocean, resulting in the thermal expansion of water. Normally, seawater arranges itself into layers determined by water temperature and density. Warmer water floats on top of and is lighter than cooler water, which is denser. In most places, heat from the surface moves very slowly through these layers down into the deep ocean. But extremely windy areas of the ocean can agitate the layers enough to result in vertical mixing. Very large currents, like those found in the Southern Ocean, can tilt ocean layers, allowing surface waters to more easily slip down deep. The massive movement of water during El Niño — in which a large pool of warm water normally located in the western Pacific Ocean sloshes over to the central and eastern Pacific — can also result in vertical movement of heat within the ocean. In another report, Nasa noted the rate of global sea level rise doubled in the last 30 years. Citing recent findings, the premier space agency said this rate measures the average rise in sea level each year — most of it resulting from climate change. The study found that in 1993, the rate was about 0.08 inches (2.1 millimetres) per year but has since increased to about 0.18 inches (4.5 millimetres) per year in 2023. The study reports that sea level also is expected to grow by another 6.6 inches (169 millimetres) globally over the next 30 years if it follows this trend. 'We have had this succession of satellite missions over the past three decades, one building on top of another, and it's that data on a global scale that allows us to precisely track the rate of global sea level rise,' said Nasa Sea Level Change Team Principal Investigator Benjamin Hamlington, the new study's lead author. Although a number of factors contribute to sea level rise, the primary causes are warming and ice-melt due to greenhouse gas emissions, Hamlington said. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
