Latest news with #SimonGoodman
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists grow concerned over devastating phenomenon impacting world's largest landlocked body of water: 'It is advisable to start action as soon as possible'
Coastal ports on the Caspian Sea could be left high and dry — and crucial habitats could be strongly affected — if the sea's level continues to drop with increasing global temperatures, a recent study reported. The research warned of risks to humans as well as protected species. Researchers led by University of Leeds faculty explored the possible impacts of projected declines in the sea's level by as much as 21 meters (about 70 feet) by the end of the century. They published their findings in April in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. The water level of the Caspian Sea — the world's largest landlocked water body — is declining as global temperatures increase, because more water is evaporating than flowing in, a university report about the study explained. The researchers concluded that, even if global temperature changes are limited to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, the Caspian Sea will likely drop 16 to 32 feet. This 2-degree mark is considered by many scientists to be a key threshold for efforts to limit the most severe effects on Earth's climate. Recent assessments consider it likely that the world will exceed this temperature increase. The new findings estimate that more than 27 million acres of the Caspian Sea — an area larger than Iceland — would dry up under even this more optimistic climate scenario. According to the new study, the sea level change under this scenario will "critically disrupt key ecosystems" as well as "reduce existing marine protected area coverage by up to 94%, and render billions of dollars of civil and industrial infrastructure obsolete." Per the report, the Caspian coast is home to more than 15 million people — in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. They rely on it for fishing, shipping, and trade. The research indicated that, depending on the scenario, Northern Caspian communities and port equipment could end up anywhere from six to 60 miles from the shoreline of a dried-up sea. Dropping water levels will also reduce the breeding habitat of endangered Caspian seals and will limit access to rivers where several species of sturgeon spawn, per the research. A drying sea will also cause the loss of lagoons and other shallow-water habitats crucial to other fish and migratory birds. 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. The researchers noted that their findings come at a key juncture. "Some Caspian Sea level decline appears unavoidable," Simon Goodman, who supervised the research, said in the University of Leeds report. "It should be possible to find ways to protect biodiversity while safeguarding human interests and well-being ... [but] it is advisable to start action as soon as possible to give the best chance of success." Included on the researchers' list of recommendations are investments in biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and sustainable development. They advocated for helping coastal communities diversify their economies. They also argued for creating protected areas with flexible borders, to accommodate shifting habitats. The recommendations also included cuts to heat-trapping pollution on a global scale — to limit the warming that carries with it risks to the Caspian and the world. These cuts require work for companies and countries — and individuals can also contribute, through efforts ranging from reconsidering what we eat to limiting the carbon pollution of our homes. 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.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Science
- The Independent
How climate change is threatening one of the world's cutest endangered animals
The habitat of one of the world's cutest endangered animals is being threatened by human-caused climate change. The Caspian seal is the only marine mammal found in the 143,200-square-mile Caspian Sea. Now, researchers say water levels in the world's largest landlocked body of water are getting lower as temperatures rise. But there is hope for the native species — if humans take 'urgent' action, experts note. 'Some Caspian Sea level decline appears unavoidable, even with action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Simon Goodman, of the United Kingdom's University of Leeds, said in a statement. 'However, with the anticipated effects unfolding over a few decades, it should be possible to find ways to protect biodiversity while safeguarding human interests and wellbeing,' He added: 'That might sound like a long timescale, but, given the immense political, legislative and logistical challenges involved, it is advisable to start action as soon as possible to give the best chance of success.' Goodman supervised new research into the seals' predicament, which was published Thursday in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Even if global warming is limited to below about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), it is likely that the level of the sea — which borders Russia and Iran — will decline by 16 to 32 feet. If temperatures rise further, the researchers said levels could fall by as much as 68 feet by 2100. An area larger than the size of Iceland is likely to dry up, they said, even in an optimistic scenario. All of the shrinking and drying could have significant consequences for biodiversity and the coastal communities that rely on the water resource, researchers warn. For humans, an exposed seabed is likely to release dust containing industrial contaminants and salt, threatening human health. Loss of water could also further impact the climate, leading to reduced rainfall and drier conditions across central Asia. In addition to the seal, there are hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates that live in the Caspian Sea. Among them are six species of sturgeon, and declining water levels are expected to restrict their access to spawning rivers. For Caspian seals it also means significantly reduced breeding habitat, with a 16-foot decline reducing the ice in the northern sea where the seals give birth by as much as 81 percent. There are now an estimated 75,000 and 270,000 seals in the sea, according to the Caspian Policy Center. The population was once estimated at close to one million in the early 20th century. The seal was listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2008. The seals have already been threatened by hunting, fishing operations, disease, disruption of the food chain, and loss of habitat. The Caspian sea in addition is threatened by pollution, overfishing, and invasive species. The sea level decline is also expected to make all areas on land where seals currently rest inaccessible. In addition, the coverage of existing marine protected areas is projected to disappear nearly entirely for all countries but Kazakhstan. Going forward, the authors recommended that affected areas reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, monitor ecosystems, support resilient coastal infrastructure, and devise legislation that enables the creation of protected areas. 'We hope this research will help to raise awareness of the trajectory and potential impacts of the falling sea level,' said Dr. Rebecca Court, a researcher at Leeds. 'The mapping should better equip policymakers and conservationists to plan for and address the numerous issues in advance.'
