Climate Connections

Climate Connections: Why do the pH levels of the early oceans matter? And what does it tell us about Earth’s evolving habitability in the broader context of climate change?

A new study has found that ocean acidity may have prevented life on Earth from developing for the planet's first 500 million years.  On this episode of Climate Connections, its study lead, Dr Guo Meng from the Asian School of the Environment at NTU weighs in on how ocean pH has evolved from our early days and the research by her team of scientists, on developing the most comprehensive Earth system model to date that is shedding new light on the critical role of ocean pH levels in the emergence of early life. Her efforts so far, have given scientists a new perspective on when Earth likely became a habitable place some 4 billion years ago. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: University of Richmond; AP/Richard Drew Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Climate Connections: Climate change is creating that perfect rat storm

Over the years, scientists have linked climate change to rising sea levels, extreme weather and melting polar ice caps. But as the mercury rises, urban rat populations too are increasing. In the first research of its kind, scientists found that 11 of 16 cities studied had significant increasing trends in rat numbers, including Washington DC, New York, and Amsterdam. While the new study sheds light on the forces that may influence urban rat populations, cities remain highly complex environments. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Jonathan Richardson, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Richmond, who led the research, shares his insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: University of Richmond; AP/Richard Drew Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Climate Connections: Top things to know about mycorrhizal fungi and why they are "climate warriors"

Fungi represent an entire kingdom of life on Earth. In fact, millions of species of fungi share our space on this planet. And since soil contains more than three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, what fungi do in the soil could dramatically affect climate change. One group of fungi in particular - the mycorrhizal fungi - are quietly, but surely, doing us a huge climate favour behind-the-scenes, or in their case, underground. These fungi help forests absorb CO2 pollution, which can in turn contribute to delaying the effects of climate change. But, how has the effects of climate change impacted mycorrhizal fungi and can such fungi be restored in degraded parts of forests and cities? On this episode of Climate Connections, Jennifer Bhatnagar, Associate Professor of Biology at Boston University, who has been studying fungi, shares her insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: CID Bio-Science Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Climate Connections: How are climate change & human activities affecting soil quality & vice versa?

The soil beneath our feet is often forgotten and sometimes thought to be limitless and indestructible. But in fact, soil is key to feeding people, and in preserving the planet we live in.  However, data by the Food and Agricultural Organisation shows that over 33% of soils worldwide are already degraded, and if nothing is done to preserve it, a shocking 90% of the world’s soil will be degraded by 2050. On this episode of Climate Connections, Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science, The Ohio State University - shares the secrets of the humble soil, which he dedicated over five decades to study, and what can be done to conserve and restore this precious resource. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: Ohio State Alumni Magazine, Rattan Lal  Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Climate Connections: How can we protect what we don't know? A deep dive into why new species discoveries are so crucial.

Species all over the world are declining at harrowing rates - driven by a mix of factors such as climate change and other human activities. But, there’s a bright light on the horizon. WWF's latest report reveals that 234 new species were discovered by scientists in the Greater Mekong region back in 2023, including 173 species of vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fishes and three mammals.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Uma Sachidhanandam, Director of Conservation & Science, WWF-Singapore explains what such discoveries mean for the Mekong region, how they’re named thereafter, and why the means through which some of these species are found reveal a more sinister plight. She also shares which three are her personal favourites! Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: WWF-Singapore, Truong Ba Vuong, Parinya Pawangkhanant  Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.