Latest news with #NatureSustainability
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth's orbit is filling up with junk. Greenhouse gases are making the problem worse.
At any given moment, more than 10,000 satellites are whizzing around the planet at roughly 17,000 miles per hour. This constellation of machinery is the technological backbone of modern life, making GPS, weather forecasts, and live television broadcasts possible. But space is getting crowded. Ever since the Space Age dawned in the late 1950s, humans have been filling the skies with trash. The accumulation of dead satellites, chunks of old rockets, and other litter numbers in the tens of millions and hurdles along at speeds so fast that even tiny bits can deliver lethal damage to a spacecraft. Dodging this minefield is already a headache for satellite operators, and it's poised to get a lot worse—and not just because humans are now launching thousands of new crafts each year. All the excess carbon dioxide generated by people burning fossil fuels is shrinking the upper atmosphere, exacerbating the problem with space junk, Grist explains. New research, published in Nature Sustainability on March 10, found that if emissions don't fall, as few as 25 million satellites—about half the current capacity—would be able to safely operate in orbit by the end of the century. That leaves room for just 148,000 in the orbital range that most satellites use, which isn't as plentiful as it sounds: A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 2022 estimated that as many as 60,000 new satellites will crowd our skies by 2030. According to reports, Elon Musk's SpaceX alone wants to deploy 42,000 of its Starlink satellites. "The environment is very cluttered already. Satellites are constantly dodging right and left," said William Parker, a Ph.D. researcher in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the lead author of the study. In a recent six-month period, SpaceX's Starlink satellites had to steer around obstacles 50,000 times. "As long as we are emitting greenhouse gases, we are increasing the probability that we see more collision events between objects in space," Parker said. Until recently, the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the upper atmosphere were so understudied that scientists dubbed it the "ignorosphere." But research using modern satellite data has revealed that, paradoxically, the carbon dioxide that warms the lower atmosphere is dramatically cooling the upper atmosphere, causing it to shrink like a balloon that's been left in the cold. That leaves thinner air at the edge of space. The problem is that atmospheric density is the only thing that naturally pulls space junk out of orbit. Earth's atmosphere doesn't suddenly give way to the vacuum of space but gets dramatically thinner at a point known as the Kármán line, roughly 100 kilometers up. Objects that orbit the planet are dragged down by the lingering air density, spiraling closer to the planet until eventually reentering the atmosphere, often burning up as they do. According to the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation, the lowest orbiting debris takes only a few months to get dragged down. But most satellites operate in a zone called "low Earth orbit," between 200 and 2,000 kilometers up, and can take hundreds to thousands of years to fall. The higher outermost reaches of Earth's influence are referred to as a "graveyard" orbit that can hold objects for millions of years. "We rely on the atmosphere to clean out everything that we have in space, and it does a worse job at that as it contracts and cools," Parker said. "There's no other way for it to come down. If there were no atmosphere, it would stay up there indefinitely." Parker's study found that in a future where emissions remain high, the atmosphere would lose so much density that half as many satellites could feasibly fit around all the debris stuck in space. Nearly all of them would need to squeeze into the bottom of low Earth orbit, where they would regularly need to use their thrusters to avoid getting dragged down. Between 400 kilometers and 1,000 kilometers, where most satellites operate, as few as 148,000 would be safe. More than that, and the risk of satellites crashing into debris or each other poses a threat to the space industry. "The debris from any collision could go on to destroy more satellites," said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts who was not involved with the Nature study. "And so you can get a chain reaction where all the satellites are hitting each other, breaking up, and creating more and more debris." This domino effect, commonly known as Kessler syndrome, could fill the orbit around Earth with so much destructive clutter that launching or operating satellites becomes impossible. It's the runaway scenario, the paper cautions, which will make greenhouse gas emissions more likely. "But the chain reaction doesn't happen overnight," McDowell said. "You just slowly choke more and more on your own filth." According to the European Space Agency, at least 650 breakups, explosions, or collisions have flung their wreckage into space since space exploration started. Space surveillance networks, like the U.S. Space Force, are currently tracking nearly 40,000 pieces of debris, some as large as a car. At least 130 million objects smaller than 10 centimeters are also estimated to be orbiting Earth but are too tiny to be monitored. Scientists have recently been researching ways to remove this debris by, as McDowell metaphorically put it, "sending garbage trucks into space." In 2022, a Chinese satellite successfully grabbed hold of a defunct one by matching its speed before towing it into graveyard orbit. In 2024, a Japanese company, Astroscale, managed to maneuver a retrieval device within 15 meters of a discarded rocket—close enough to magnetically capture it—before backing away. "In general, it's an environmental problem being stored up for future generations," McDowell said. "Are we going to hit our capacity? I think we're going to find out the hard way." This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers uncover disturbing health threat impacting older adults across the country: 'Acting now could save lives'
What happens when a nation lives longer but breathes dirtier air? Researchers in Japan set out to answer that question, uncovering the deadly toll of fine particle pollution on the country's oldest citizens. A study from the University of Tokyo published in the Nature Sustainability journal highlighted the health risks and care disparities that the elderly face from exposure to fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5. According to IQAir, PM2.5 levels in Japan are 1.7 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit. By analyzing 170,000 medical records from across Japan, the researchers found that people over age 65 are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of fine particle pollution and limited access to medical care. This medical access disparity, the researchers noted, stems from the fact that much of Japan's elderly live in rural areas where health care infrastructure is less developed and more costly to maintain. "Many rural areas lack the specialized hospitals and trained professionals needed to treat diseases exacerbated by PM2.5, such as strokes and heart attacks," lead author Yin Long said in a press release. Long added: "As we age, our immune systems weaken and our bodies are less able to defend against pollutants. Even moderate exposure can exacerbate pre-existing conditions, leading to higher hospitalization rates and premature mortality." Notably, about 30% of Japan's population is age 65 or older, the second-highest proportion among the world's countries and economies after Monaco, according to the World Bank. As Long explained, aging populations are especially vulnerable to fine particle pollution due to weakened immune systems and declining respiratory and cardiovascular function. Fine particle pollution has been linked to serious health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease, and early death. Because these particles are so small, they are difficult to avoid, making prevention a major challenge. 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. These risks are compounded by gaps in access to medical care, especially for aging people living in rural areas. But the consequences don't stop with the elderly. Illness and early retirement among older adults can strain entire families emotionally and financially. "For some working-age seniors, PM2.5 exposure is linked to increased rates of severe illnesses, forcing many to leave the workforce earlier than planned," Long said in the press release. "This not only affects their financial independence, but also places additional pressure on younger generations to support them." The researchers highlighted the need for targeted support for aging populations, especially as medical advances allow people to live longer than ever before — in a more polluted environment than ever before. The researchers hope this new data will motivate lawmakers to take action against fine particle pollution. They recommended stricter pollution policies, including targeted assistance to protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Increasing green infrastructure in urban areas is another key recommendation, as plants can naturally filter pollutants from the air. The researchers also advocated for broader public health support, including subsidies for elderly care and investments in community health programs. Additionally, they highlighted the need for strengthened telemedicine infrastructure to help elderly residents in urban areas access medical care without distance as a hindrance. By identifying aging populations as particularly at-risk groups, the researchers said their research can help the government "allocate resources more effectively." "The health of our elderly is not just a personal matter, it's a public issue with profound social and economic implications," Long said in the press release. "Acting now could save lives and reduce long-term costs for everyone." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Middle East Air Conditioner Market Forecast Report and Company Analysis 2025-2033 Featuring Daikin Industries, Fujitsu General, Blue Star, Samsung, Lloyad, Hisense, and SUPER GENERAL
The 'Middle East Air Conditioner Market Forecast Report by Type, End User Countries and Company Analysis 2025-2033" report has been added to offering. Middle East air conditioner market size shall grow at a CAGR of 5.20% between 2025 and 2033 and is valued around US$5.78 Bn in 2024, reaching US$9.12 Bn by 2033. Factors driving market growth include urbanization, increasing constructions, and extreme climatic conditions. Residential, commercial, and industrial expansions increase due to rising energy-efficient and advanced air conditioners. In the Middle East, ACs are used extensively to counteract the harsh climate of this region. Residential buildings depend on them to provide a comfortable abode. On the other hand, commercial and industrial institutions use them to ensure the smooth performance of operations by maintaining proper working conditions for workers and equipment. Shopping malls, hotels, and healthcare facilities rely extensively on-air conditioning to make it pleasurable for visitors and customers. Air conditioners are significant in the preservation of perishable goods for storage and transportation. High efficiency and sustainability are at the forefront of concerns regarding energy consumption, and advanced AC systems are gradually becoming popular in the Middle East. They reduce energy consumption as well as environmental impact while delivering cooling needs in the region. Growth Driver of the Middle East Air Conditioner Market Extreme Climatic Conditions The Middle East has extreme climatic conditions, where the temperatures surge up to 40C during summer. It requires high growth for air conditioner solutions to maintain the comfort level for living and working. From residential to commercial segments, from offices and shopping malls to hotels and resorts, the demand for air conditioners is high in this region. With the increasing population and increasing urbanization, the demand for cooling systems will be more as well, thus keeping market growth steady. Record heat waves sent temperatures in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq to an all-time high of above 50 degrees Celsius, and UAE recorded its highest ever at 49.5 C. According to Nature Sustainability journal, extreme heat's global impact is explained. According to the research, if the temperature increases by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) in the next half-century, then most of the people in the Middle East will experience extreme heat conditions by 2050. Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Development Rapid urbanization and massive infrastructure projects in the Middle East drive the demand for air conditioners, especially in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Modern residential complexes, shopping malls, hotels, and commercial spaces demand efficient cooling solutions for construction. Government initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar's preparation for the World Cup also increase construction activities, which increases the adoption of high-end air conditioners to meet the steady need for cooling. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Arab population in urban areas increased to 55.8 percent in 2015 and is expected to continue growing up to 58 percent by 2030. Rising Emphasis on Energy Efficiency Due to increasing energy costs and environmental concerns, the Middle East is increasingly adopting energy-efficient air conditioning systems. Governments in this region are enforcing stricter regulations to favor the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, making it possible to sell more advanced ACs with higher energy efficiency ratings. With innovations like inverter technology and smart air conditioners that minimize energy consumption, increasing awareness among consumers further boosts the growth of the market while responding to environmental targets. Challenges in the Middle East Air Conditioner Market High Energy Consumption and Costs Air conditioners are a significant portion of electricity usage in the Middle East because of the extreme climate and reliance on cooling systems throughout the year. Such high energy consumption increases consumer electricity costs and strains national power grids. Governments and consumers face challenges in balancing cooling needs with energy efficiency. Despite the availability of energy-efficient technologies, their higher initial costs can deter widespread adoption, particularly among price-sensitive segments. Environmental Concerns and Regulations The environmental challenges of air conditioners encompass greenhouse gas emissions from the refrigerant used. Increasing global warming and concerns over climate change result in tightened regulations on refrigerants and energy efficiency. The regulatory requirements bring about a dual challenge for the manufacturers: higher production costs to maintain competitiveness while adhering to the said regulations. Switching to new, greener refrigerants and technologies has a large cost implication; hence it acts as a bottleneck for new entrants in this market. Key Attributes: Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Development & Strategies, Product Portfolio, Financial Insights Daikin Industries, LTD. Fujitsu General (Middle East) FZE Blue star Samsung Lloyad Hisense SUPER GENERAL Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Growth Drivers 4.2 Challenges 5. Middle East Conditioner Market Analysis 5.1 Market 5.2 Volume 6. Market Share 6.1 Type 6.2 End User 6.3 Country 7. Saudi Arabia 7.1 By Type 7.1.1 Window Type 7.1.1.1 Market 7.1.1.2 Volume 7.1.2 Split Type 7.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 7.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 7.2 End User 7.2.1 Residential 7.2.2 Commercial 7.2.3 Industrial 8. United Arab Emirates 8.1 By Type 8.1.1 Window Type 8.1.1.1 Market 8.1.1.2 Volume 8.1.2 Split Type 8.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 8.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 8.2 End User 8.2.1 Residential 8.2.2 Commercial 8.2.3 Industrial 9. Oman 9.1 By Type 9.1.1 Window Type 9.1.1.1 Market 9.1.1.2 Volume 9.1.2 Split Type 9.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 9.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 9.2 End User 9.2.1 Residential 9.2.2 Commercial 9.2.3 Industrial 10. Qatar 10.1 By Type 10.1.1 Window Type 10.1.1.1 Market 10.1.1.2 Volume 10.1.2 Split Type 10.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 10.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 10.2 End User 10.2.1 Residential 10.2.2 Commercial 10.2.3 Industrial 11. Kuwait 11.1 By Type 11.1.1 Window Type 11.1.1.1 Market 11.1.1.2 Volume 11.1.2 Split Type 11.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 11.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 11.2 End User 11.2.1 Residential 11.2.2 Commercial 11.2.3 Industrial 12. Others 12.1 By Type 12.1.1 Window Type 12.1.1.1 Market 12.1.1.2 Volume 12.1.2 Split Type 12.1.3 Precision Air Conditioning 12.1.4 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) 12.2 End User 12.2.1 Residential 12.2.2 Commercial 12.2.3 Industrial 13. Porter's Five Analysis 13.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers 13.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 13.3 Degree of Rivalry 13.4 Threat of New Entrants 13.5 Threat of Substitutes 14. SWOT Analysis 14.1 Strength 14.2 Weakness 14.3 Opportunity 14.4 Threat 15. Key Players Analysis For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: MIDDLE EAST INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HVAC CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY BUILDING SYSTEMS MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/26/2025 08:46 AM/DISC: 03/26/2025 08:47 AM
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Climate Change Is Shrinking Space for Satellites to Orbit
Greenhouse gas emissions aren't just warming our planet, they're reshaping space, too. A new study from MIT aerospace engineers reveals that rising carbon dioxide levels are shrinking Earth's upper atmosphere, leading to long-term consequences for satellites and space debris. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, focuses on the thermosphere, a high-altitude atmospheric layer where most satellites and the International Space Station orbit. As greenhouse gases radiate heat away from the upper atmosphere, the thermosphere cools and contracts. This reduces atmospheric drag, which is the force that naturally pulls old satellites and debris down to burn up. With less drag, space junk lingers for decades, increasing the risk of collisions. 'The sky is quite literally falling — just at a rate that's on the scale of decades,' says lead author William Parker, a graduate student in AeroAstro. Adding, 'and we can see this by how the drag on our satellites is changing.' MIT researchers simulated how carbon emissions will impact the 'satellite carrying capacity' of low Earth orbit. Their models predict that by 2100, this capacity could shrink by 50-66%. This means fewer satellites will be able to safely operate, creating a growing congestion problem. The thermosphere naturally expands and contracts every 11 years with the sun's activity cycle, but greenhouse gases are disrupting this balance. The excessive amounts of gases that are being released is causing the thermosphere to shrink, which in turn will limit the amount of satellites and debris that can safely orbit. 'Our behavior with greenhouse gases here on Earth over the past 100 years is having an effect on how we operate satellites over the next 100 years,' said Richard Linares, an MIT aerospace professor. The problem is compounded by the surge in satellite launches, particularly from megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink, which comprises thousands of small internet satellites. With more than 10,000 satellites already in orbit, operators must constantly adjust trajectories to avoid collisions. 'More satellites have been launched in the last five years than in the preceding 60 years combined,' Parker says. 'One of key things we're trying to understand is whether the path we're on today is sustainable.' If space traffic continues to stay congested, then some regions of space could become too hazardous to navigate, leading to what scientists call a 'runaway instability' or a cascade of collisions that would create so much debris that satellites could no longer safely operate there. 'We rely on the atmosphere to clean up our space junk,' noted Parker. 'But as the atmosphere changes, the debris environment changes, too.' If emissions continue unchecked, space, a vital resource for communication, navigation, and weather forecasting, could become dangerously overcrowded. Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Climate change is wreaking havoc on Earth. Soon it will mess up its orbit
Climate change is wreaking havoc on Earth – but soon it will even be messing up its orbit, scientists have revealed. It is poised to exacerbate the growing problem of space debris, potentially shrinking the usable space for satellite in low Earth orbit, according to a new MIT study. Researchers have calculated that the ongoing warming trend, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, could diminish available orbital space by anywhere from one-third to 82 per cent by the end of the century, depending on the extent of future carbon emissions. The culprit? A weakened natural cleaning mechanism in the upper atmosphere. The same greenhouse effect warming the lower atmosphere also cools the upper layers where satellites operate. This cooling reduces atmospheric density, lessening the drag that normally pulls space debris down towards Earth, where it burns up upon re-entry. Consequently, a less dense upper atmosphere translates to less efficient removal of space junk. As debris accumulates, the risk of collisions increases, threatening the functionality of vital satellites. This escalating congestion in low Earth orbit poses significant challenges for future space endeavours, according to the study, published in Nature Sustainability. 'We rely on the atmosphere to clean up our debris. There's no other way to remove debris,' study lead author Will Parker, an astrodynamics researcher at MIT, said. 'It's trash. It's garbage. And there are millions of pieces of it.' Circling Earth are millions of pieces of debris about one-ninth of an inch (3 millimetres) and larger — the width of two stacked pennies — and those collide with the energy of a bullet. There are tens of thousands of plum-sized pieces of space junk that hit with the power of a crashing bus, according to The Aerospace Corporation, which monitors orbital debris. That junk includes results of old space crashes and parts of rockets with most of it too small to be tracked. There are 11,905 satellites circling Earth — 7,356 in low orbit — according to the tracking website Orbiting Now. Satellites are critical for communications, navigation, weather forecasting and monitoring environmental and national security issues. 'There used to be this this mantra that space is big. And so we can we can sort of not necessarily be good stewards of the environment because the environment is basically unlimited,' Parker said. But a 2009 crash of two satellites created thousands of pieces of space junk. And Nasa measurements are showing the reduction of drag, so scientists now realise that that 'the climate change component is really important,' Parker said. The density at 250 miles (400 kilometres) above Earth is decreasing by about 2 per cent a decade and is likely to get intensify as society pumps more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, said Ingrid Cnossen, a space weather scientist at the British Antarctic Survey who was not part of the research. Cnossen said in an email that the new study makes 'perfect sense' and is why scientists have to be aware of climate change's orbital effects 'so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure its long-term sustainability'.
