A comprehensive review led by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, has identified aquatic deoxygenation as one of the world’s most pressing but under-recognized environmental crises. Dissolved oxygen levels are declining across oceans, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters owing to climate change, nutrient pollution, and rising temperatures. Since oxygen is essential for aquatic life, its depletion threatens fisheries, biodiversity, and the ecological processes that regulate Earth’s climate. The researchers argue that deoxygenation is closely linked to several planetary boundaries, including climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, freshwater degradation, and chemical pollution. They recommend that dissolved oxygen be recognized as a separate planetary boundary, emphasizing that the phenomenon is not confined to isolated ecosystems but is becoming a global threat. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/ Healthier Diets Could Slash Agricultural Emissions and Restore Nature

A new international study suggests that a global transition towards healthier diets could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating opportunities for ecosystem restoration. Researchers found that reduced demand for livestock products would substantially decrease the land required for grazing and animal feed production, potentially cutting emissions from land-use change by as much as 85 per cent by 2050. The freed-up land could be used for reforestation, biodiversity conservation, or sustainable agriculture. At the same time, production of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts would need to expand to meet changing dietary patterns, improving public health while lowering agriculture’s environmental footprint. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of food systems, climate mitigation, and biodiversity conservation, indicating that dietary shifts can complement technological innovations and policy measures in achieving global sustainability goals. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/