EGU Scientific Divisions

Why single solution strategies cannot solve the plastic pollution problem

Gillian D'Souza June 2, 2023

Credit: David Jones (from imaggeo.egu.eu)

It appears that plastics have well and truly invaded even our most inaccessible environments: the deepest point in the ocean (the Mariana trench) and the highest mountain peak in the world (Mt. Everest) both contain pieces of plastic from human activities miles away. With plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems expected to nearly triple by 2040, it is safe to say that nature is in “emergency ...[Read More]

Seaweed: an unlikely but promising food solution in nuclear winter?

Gillian D'Souza May 17, 2023

Florian Ulrich Jehn, Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Delaware, USA and Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany, presents at EGU23 Press Conference

A few weeks ago, at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly EGU23, a group of researchers from different disciplines briefed the media about the impact of war on the oceans, sands, and people. Among them, Florian Ulrich Jehn’s presentation stood out for its rather unlikely proposition: that seaweed appeared to be a promising candidate as a resilient food solution in nuclear winter. I ...[Read More]

Do changes in Arctic climate variability severely impact migratory birds?

Caitrin Pilkington April 28, 2023

Nomikos Skyllas from the University of Groningen presents his research at EGU23. Credit: Caitrin Pilkington

Changes in Arctic climate variability and extremes may have significant impacts for migratory birds, according to a study presented at EGU23 by Nomikos Skyllas, a PhD student from the University of Groningen. Many species cross continents during their seasonal migration patterns, travelling from as far as Africa and South America to northern regions such as Siberia and the Canadian Arctic. If you’ ...[Read More]

The varying composition of a single bolt of lightning

Caitrin Pilkington April 26, 2023

A stylized reconstruction of lightning based on Bestard’s data, with 3D rendering from Alice Roux. Credit: Damien Bestard, Alice Roux

Until recently, scientists assumed lightning had a homogeneous distribution of energy inside its channel. But researchers like Damien Bestard, a PhD student with the Sorbonne Université have found that the composition of each bolt is quite variable. Bestard presented his findings at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly EGU23 on Monday (April 24). As part of his research, Bestard measure ...[Read More]