Why Dry Places Are Getting Even Drier

June 22, 2025 / activist360

Evapotranspiration rises off the forest in the mountains of Ren’ai Township, Taiwan. Credit: Erica Gies

And What Nature Is Trying to Tell Us

Not long ago, wildfires tore through Los Angeles in the middle of winter. That caught a lot of people off guard. Winter fires used to be rare. But meteorologists weren’t surprised. They had already seen signs: unusually dry air, low humidity, and the perfect conditions for flames to spread.

With climate change, this “fire weather” is happening more often — not just in California, but in places like Canada, southern Europe, and the U.S. Southeast. Here’s the mystery: even though the world is getting warmer, some dry places aren’t getting more humid — they’re getting drier. So where is all the moisture going?

The Science Behind Moisture and Warming

Scientists know that warmer air can hold more water. It’s a basic rule called the Clausius–Clapeyron relationship, which says that for every 1°C (1.8°F) of warming, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture.

Climate models — the computer programs scientists use to predict the future — say we should see more moisture in the air everywhere as the world warms. And that’s exactly what’s been happening in some places. For example, intense floods in Pakistan, Germany, and New York City were made worse by extra moisture in the air.

But over drylands — places like the U.S. Southwest, parts of Africa, and Australia — the models seem to be wrong. Instead of more moisture, the air is staying just as dry… or getting drier.

Missing Moisture: What’s Going Wrong?

Atmospheric physicist Isla Simpson and her team noticed this odd pattern by studying 40 years of weather data. In places that were already dry, humidity wasn’t going up. In some cases, like the American Southwest, it was going down.

The big question is: Why?

One possible answer is that plants and soil aren’t giving off as much water vapor as the models expect. Normally, plants “sweat” through tiny pores in their leaves, releasing moisture into the air — a process called transpiration. Soil also releases water. But under stress — like heat, drought, or damage — this natural system seems to slow down.

And here’s the twist: most climate models don’t fully account for the biology of plants and soil. They focus more on oceans, ice, and the atmosphere, and less on the living systems that also affect the climate.

Why Plants and Soil Matter

It turns out that plants and soil do much more than just sit there. They help regulate temperature and rain patterns. When plants release moisture, the moister:

Cools the air (like sweat on skin)
Helps clouds form
Helps spread rain farther inland

Healthy soil also plays a major role:

It holds water like a sponge
It supports fungi and bacteria that help form rain clouds
It slows down water runoff, keeping landscapes cooler and wetter

But when ecosystems are damaged, this water-holding system breaks down. The land dries out, gets hotter, and becomes more prone to droughts and fires.

Living ecosystems help cool and moisten the Earth. Damaged ecosystems make it hotter and drier.

How Humans Made It Worse

You might wonder: how did this happen on such a large scale?

The answer lies in how much we’ve changed the land:

75% of the Earth’s land has been severely altered by human activity (IPBES, 2019)
Grasslands and savannas are overgrazed
Wetlands are drained
Forests are logged and replaced with tree farms
Industrial farming strips soil of life and nutrients

Even when we replant trees, they’re often monocultures (just one species), which don’t support the same soil health or moisture processes as natural forests. These changes might look green from space, but they don’t function the same way.

What We Can Do About It

When it comes to tackling climate change, we often hear about personal habits such driving less, eating differently, using less energy. While these actions matter, the biggest changes come from policies and systems. That’s why the most important thing we can do is use our voices and our votes.

Elect Leaders Who Protect Nature

Support candidates who prioritize ecosystem protection, climate resilience, and land stewardship
Ask hard questions: Will you protect native forests? Will you fund soil and water restoration?
Vote in local, state, and national elections. These decisions directly impact land use and climate outcomes

Hold Politicians Accountable

Follow up after elections by tracking what your representatives are doing for the environment
Attend town halls, write to your lawmakers, and support environmental advocacy groups
Push for science-based policies that restore biodiversity, water systems, and climate stability

When leaders understand that voters care about land and water — not just carbon — they’re more likely to act. Restoring ecosystems isn’t just good science, it’s good politics.

Restore Natural Ecosystems

Let native forests regrow instead of planting single-species trees
Support healthy grasslands with better grazing practices
Protect wetlands and water sources

Care for the Soil

Reduce tilling and chemical use
Encourage farming methods that boost soil life
Plant cover crops that help the land retain moisture

Think Local and Global

Support community land stewards and Indigenous practices
Include land care in climate solutions, alongside reducing carbon emissions

Restoring ecosystems brings powerful benefits: it can increase local rainfall, cool surrounding areas, reduce the risk of fires and droughts, and support healthier biodiversity. These natural systems do more than sustain wildlife — they help protect our communities too.

Summing Up

Climate change isn’t just about carbon dioxide — it’s also about water, life, and how we care for the land. When dry places get even drier, it’s a sign that something’s out of balance.

By listening to nature and recognizing the role of plants, soil, and ecosystems, we can develop better climate models, smarter solutions, and a safer future. As the science shows, protecting living systems doesn’t just help animals and plants. It helps us too.

Let’s care for the land as part of how we care for the climate.

Source: Gies, E. (2025, June 20). Climate science and the case of the missing moisture. Nature Water, 3, 634–637. https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00455-2?error=cookies_not_supported&code=939439e7-5001-4ce2-b737-624ec6a65bc7

New Arctic Coastlines Are Emerging as Glaciers Melt — What That Means for Our Planet

March 30, 2025 / activist360

Geodiversity of new coastlines developed after retreat of Arctic marine-terminating glaciers. a, Young delta system accumulated in the lagoon exposed by Recherchebreen, Svalbard. b, Rocky cliffs and morainic cliffs released from retreating Samarinbreen, Svalbard. c, Juvenile beach system in Brepollen supplied by glacial sediment dropping from remnants of ice cliffs. d, Erosion of a lateral moraine by calving waves from Eqip Sermia, Western Greenland, leading to extension of the spit system along the southern coast. Credit: b,c, Aleksandra Osika. Nature Climate Change (Nat. Clim. Chang.) ISSN 1758-6798 (online)

A Changing Arctic

Over 2,400 kilometers of new Arctic coastline have appeared in just 20 years.

That’s like adding a whole new stretch of shore equal to the length of the U.S. West Coast — all because of melting glaciers. As temperatures rise across the globe, nowhere is changing faster than the Arctic. In fact, the Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet in the past few decades.

And with that warming comes dramatic change: the disappearance of ice, the reshaping of coastlines, and the emergence of land that hasn’t seen the light of day for thousands of years.

Why Glaciers Matter

Let’s start with the basics. Some glaciers, called marine-terminating glaciers, end in the ocean instead of on land. These icy giants slowly move downhill and, when they meet the sea, they break off chunks of ice into the water — a process known as calving.

But as the planet gets warmer, these glaciers are shrinking. Warmer air and ocean water are causing them to melt and pull back from the coast. When they do, they uncover land that used to be buried under thick ice.

This retreat is happening all over the Northern Hemisphere — from Alaska to Greenland — and it’s changing what our maps look like.

What Happens When Glaciers Retreat?

When a glacier melts and retreats, it exposes new ground beneath it. That newly uncovered area often becomes coastline, especially when the glacier used to flow into the ocean.

These brand-new coastal areas are made of soft sediments like sand and gravel, or sometimes smooth, polished rock. Because this land has been hidden under ice for so long, it hasn’t had time to settle or stabilize. That means it can be quickly reshaped by wind, waves, and weather.

Scientists call these places “paraglacial coasts” — a term that simply means land newly exposed by melting glaciers. These coasts are among the most dynamic and fast-changing landscapes in the world.

Where Is This Happening?

Between 2000 and 2020, researchers tracked over 2,466 kilometers of new coastline created by glacier retreat.

Here’s where the biggest changes are:

Greenland: 66% of the new coastline came from here — over 1,600 km.
Northern Canada, Russia, and Svalbard: Each contributed around 9–10% of the new coastlines.
Alaska and Southern Arctic Canada: Though smaller in size, these areas had some of the most efficient coastline formation per glacier.

This isn’t just about flat beaches — new islands are also appearing. In fact, 35 new Arctic islands were identified between 2000 and 2020, most of them in Greenland.

Why This Matters to People and Nature

New coastlines might sound exciting — and they are — but they come with both risks and opportunities.

Risks

Tsunamis and landslides: Some new coasts are unstable and prone to large waves caused by landslides, falling icebergs, or glacier collapse. A tragic example happened in Greenland in 2017, when a tsunami destroyed homes and took lives.
Tourism safety: Melting glaciers change the landscape rapidly, affecting local communities and visitors who camp or sail near them.

Opportunities

New habitats: As glaciers melt, they make room for new ecosystems. Plants, animals, and even fish begin to move in and adapt to these fresh environments.
Natural resources: Some of the newly exposed land is rich in materials like sand and gravel, which could be valuable for local economies, especially in Greenland.

What’s Next?

Glaciers are expected to keep retreating as global temperatures rise. That means even more coastlines and islands will appear in the coming decades. But this change isn’t always predictable. Some glaciers move slowly, while others retreat in big bursts. And the way the land responds depends on things like the type of rock, the presence of permafrost (permanently frozen ground), and the local climate.

Scientists emphasize the importance of monitoring these new areas closely. Understanding how they’re forming — and how fast — helps us prepare for what’s ahead, from rising sea levels to new environmental challenges.

What You Can Do

Even if you’re far from the Arctic, there are still ways you can make a difference.

Read and share reliable information about changes happening in the Arctic and around the world.
Organizations and scientists are doing amazing work using satellite data and field studies. Supporting or sharing their findings helps spread awareness.
Advocate for climate action, including clean energy and reduced carbon emissions, to help slow ocean warming.
Vote for leaders and policies that take action on climate change.
Hold your local, state, and national elected officials accountable for taking climate action and protecting our water, air, and health.

Closing Thought

The Arctic is not a frozen, unchanging place — it’s alive, moving, and reacting to what we do. The more we understand these changes, the better we can care for our planet.

Source: Kavan, J., Szczypińska, M., Kochtitzky, W., Farquharson, L., Bendixen, M., & Strzelecki, M. C. (2025). New coasts emerging from the retreat of Northern Hemisphere marine-terminating glaciers in the twenty-first century. Nature Climate Change. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02282-5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=f344f836-da9d-42a2-a92b-a8105f50fedb.

Warming Seas and Microplastics Are Harming Sardines—And Us

March 23, 2025 / activist360

Infographic showing how feeding behavior and temperature affect plastic fibre ingestion in European sardines (Sardina pilchardus). Sardines that use filter-feeding ingest more plastic fibres, expel them faster, and have a lower condition index compared to particulate-feeding sardines. Warmer temperatures (19°C) increase plastic fibre ingestion and speed up intestinal transit time.

Feeding behavior and warming seas influence plastic fibre ingestion in sardines. Sardines that filter-feed ingest significantly more plastic fibres than those that eat larger particles (particulate-feeding). Warmer water temperatures (19°C) lead to faster digestion but also more plastic consumption. Filter-feeding sardines show lower health scores, highlighting the combined stress of microplastic pollution and climate change. (Source: Rodriguez-Romeu et al., 2024)

Sardines may be small, but they play a big role in the ocean—and on our dinner plates. These little fish are a key food source for larger marine animals like dolphins and tuna, and millions of people around the world eat them, too. They’re also packed with nutrients and are considered one of the most sustainable seafood choices out there.

But sardines are in trouble. In the Mediterranean Sea, their population has dropped sharply in recent decades. And scientists are discovering that two major forces—warming ocean temperatures and plastic pollution—are teaming up to make life even harder for these essential fish.

What’s harming sardines may be a warning sign for us all.

The Hidden Threat: Plastic Fibres in the Ocean

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that break down from larger items like bottles, bags, and packaging. But not all microplastics are the same. A specific type called plastic fibres is even more common in the ocean—and more likely to be eaten by fish.

Plastic fibres are tiny thread-like pieces that come from clothing, fishing gear, and other waste. They’re too small to see with the naked eye but can float in the water, where fish easily mistake them for food. In fact, up to 91% of microplastics in ocean water are fibres, making them the most common type of plastic pollution in the sea.

The Experiment: What Scientists Found

To better understand how sardines interact with plastic fibres, scientists designed a unique experiment. They took wild sardines and placed them in tanks that mimicked ocean conditions. The tanks contained a realistic amount of plastic fibres—five fibres per liter of water, similar to what’s found in polluted areas of the sea.

They fed the sardines in two different ways:

Particulate-feeding: Fish were given large food pellets, which they eat one by one.
Filter-feeding: Fish were given tiny particles, similar to how they naturally eat plankton by filtering water through their gills.

The scientists also tested two water temperatures:

16°C, which reflects current Mediterranean conditions.
19°C, which represents a possible future scenario as oceans warm due to climate change.

Startling Results: What Happened to the Sardines

The results were clear—and concerning.

Sardines that fed by filter-feeding accidentally ate about eight times more plastic fibres than those eating larger particles. On average:

Filter-feeders ingested 4.95 fibres per fish
Particulate-feeders ingested only 0.6 fibres per fish

Temperature also made a difference. At warmer temperatures (19°C):

Sardines expelled plastic fibres faster, likely due to faster digestion.
But they also ingested more plastic, probably because their metabolism increased and they needed more food.

Another discovery: Plastic fibres stayed in the sardines’ digestive system longer than real food. Half the food was gone in about 12–14 hours, but it took 23–25 hours to get rid of just half the plastic fibres.

The Health Impact on Sardines

Over the course of the experiment, filter-feeding sardines didn’t just eat more plastic—they also got weaker.

They lost more weight and had lower body condition scores compared to those eating larger particles.
Their stomachs were less full, which suggests they ate less food overall and didn’t get enough energy.

Interestingly, the plastic alone wasn’t what made them unhealthy. Instead, it was the combination of filter-feeding and warmer water that seemed to hurt them most. Warmer oceans can lead to smaller plankton, which makes filter-feeding more common—and that leads to more plastic being ingested.

Why This Matters for Climate and Human Health

The health of sardines isn’t just a fish problem—it’s an ocean problem and a human problem.

Here’s why this matters:

Warming oceans = smaller plankton
Smaller plankton = more filter-feeding by fish
More filter-feeding = more plastic consumed

If sardine populations continue to shrink:

Predators like tuna, dolphins, and seabirds could lose a key food source.
People who depend on sardines for protein or income may struggle.
Ocean ecosystems could become unbalanced.

These changes don’t happen in isolation. Climate change and plastic pollution often work together, creating stress that marine life—and people—may not be able to overcome.

What Can We Do?

The good news is that small changes on land can protect life in the sea. Here are a few steps anyone can take:

Choose clothes made from natural fibers (like cotton or wool). Washing synthetic clothes sheds plastic fibres into the water.
Reduce plastic packaging by using reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
Support ocean cleanup efforts and organizations that study microplastics.
Advocate for climate action, including clean energy and reduced carbon emissions, to help slow ocean warming.
Hold your local, state, and national elected officials accountable for taking climate action and protecting our water, air, and health.

A Call to Protect What Connects Us All

Sardines may not get much attention, but they’re part of a delicate chain that connects us all. When small creatures suffer, the effects can ripple through the food web—and onto our plates.

The choices we make on land ripple into the sea—and into our future.

By staying informed, reducing plastic use, and supporting climate action, we can help protect the ocean, our food systems, and the health of generations to come.

Source: Rodriguez-Romeu, O., Constenla, M., Soler-Membrives, A., Dutto, G., Saraux, C., & Schull, Q. (2024). Sardines in hot water: Unravelling plastic fibre ingestion and feeding behaviour effects. Environmental Pollution, 363, 125035. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0269749124017500