Latest news with #SeaLevelRise
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Mysterious change in Earth's rotation set for TODAY as scientists warn of catastrophic consequences
Earth's rotation is set to mysteriously speed up on Wednesday, a puzzling phenomenon that has left scientists concerned about its potential long-term effects. The change, influenced by the moon's gravitational pull, will cause the planet to spin slightly faster at its poles, shaving approximately 1.25 milliseconds off the usual 24-hour day. While too small for humans to notice directly, experts warn that if this acceleration continues unchecked, it could trigger catastrophic consequences. As the planet spins faster, increased centrifugal force would push ocean water away from the poles toward the equator. Even a modest increase, just one mile per hour, could raise sea levels by several inches in equatorial regions, threatening to flood low-lying coastal cities already vulnerable to rising waters. In extreme scenarios, where Earth spins up to 100 miles per hour faster, vast equatorial areas could be submerged as polar seas surge southward, dramatically reshaping coastlines and displacing millions. Beyond flooding, a faster spin would also shorten the solar day. Scientists warn that if acceleration persists, the day could shrink to just 22 hours. This rapid change would disrupt human circadian rhythms, effectively shifting internal clocks two hours earlier every day with no time to adjust, a biological upheaval with serious health consequences. Studies have shown even small time shifts, like daylight saving changes, are linked to spikes in heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents. A permanent, drastic shift could prove far more dangerous. NASA astronomer Dr Sten Odenwald added that faster rotation would intensify the Coriolis effect, which governs storm rotation, leading to more extreme weather. 'Hurricanes will spin faster and carry more energy,' he explained. Scientists track these minute changes using atomic clocks, which measure time by counting oscillations of atoms. This technology forms the basis of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global time standard. In recent years, Earth has recorded a growing number of 'short days.' On July 19, 2020, the day was 1.47 milliseconds shorter than average, and June 30, 2022 came in at 1.59 milliseconds short. The current record was set just last year, on July 5, 2024, when Earth completed a rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual, the shortest day recorded since atomic clocks were introduced in 1949. Graham Jones, an astrophysicist at the University of London who discovered this recent pattern, notes that Earth's rotation could speed up noticeably on specific dates this summer, including July 9, July 22, and August 5. Earth's rotation naturally fluctuates by tiny amounts over time due to forces such as earthquakes, ocean currents, melting glaciers, movement in the molten core and large weather patterns like El Niño. However, the recent spin-up has surprised researchers. Jones is now investigating internal Earth processes, such as shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds, that could be influencing this unexpected acceleration. Although scientists do not know the exact reason for the acceleration, they are studying what's happening inside the Earth. That includes shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds as they affect the Earth's spin. Earth is not solid all the way through. Its core is made of hot, swirling liquid metal. As that molten metal moves, it can change the planet's shape and balance, similar to how a figure skater spins faster by pulling in their arms. Ocean currents and jet streams, fast-moving ribbons of air in the atmosphere, also shift mass around the planet, causing small wobbles or changes in spin speed.
See - Sada Elbalad
18-02-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Planning, Economic Development, & International Cooperation Min Organizes a Roundtable to Review Preliminary Results of Studies for the "Adaptation of the Northern Delta Affected by Sea Level Rise" Project
Rana Atef The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation organized a roundtable in collaboration with the European Union and the European Investment Bank, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, to review the preliminary results of the studies related to the preparation of the "Adaptation of the Northern Delta Affected by Sea Level Rise" project, which is part of the food pillar of the Country Platform for the "NWFE" Program. This is part of the national efforts led by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation to implement 9 projects under the"NWFE program, across the water, food, and energy sectors, to enhance the transition to a green economy and implement Egypt's National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS)2050. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized the continued coordination with the concerned ministries and authorities to finalize the necessary technical studies for water and food projects within the "NWFE" program. This is part of the state's efforts to promote the green economy transition and expand mitigation and adaptation projects related to climate change. Al-Mashat pointed out that under the energy sector, contracts for renewable energy projects with a capacity of 4.2 GW have already been signed, out of a total of 10 GW. The project aims to benefit about 10 million citizens, empower smallholder farmers to implement policies related to adaptation and addressing sea-level rise, strengthen rural communities' responses to disasters and the impacts of sea-level rise, encourage agricultural diversification for food security and income growth, and reduce internal migration from these areas to cities. The project targets the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh, Beheira, Damietta, Dakahlia, and Port Said. The project aims to preserve the fertile agricultural land in this area, as well as expand reclaimed desert land. The European Union provides financing of 125,000 euros, and the European Investment Bank offers a grant of 300,000 euros, to fund consultancy services and complete the necessary studies for implementing the project, particularly at the level of formulating tools and mechanisms to attract, stimulate, and involve the private sector. This aims to develop alternatives to reduce and rationalize public spending, enhance the value of private spending, and attract investments. The "NWFE" program is a model for country platforms based on country ownership. It represents an effective regional model and approach for financing to address climate change issues: mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, with a focus on a just transition to a green economy. This program also provides an effective human-centered approach to address the impacts of climate change and its driving factors. The program follows a development financing pattern that provides blended financing tools. It is based on both the country's development efforts and national ministries in all sectors, the development financing provided by development partners, as well as attracting the private sector through investments. Additionally, it benefits from consultancy services and expertise from relevant entities to enhance the efficiency and viability of projects, making them attractive to funding sources.
