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Article #1 A Voracious  Starfish Is Destroying the Great Barrier Reef

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Article #1 A Voracious  Starfish Is Destroying the Great Barrier Reef

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/world/australia/starfish-coral-great-barrier-reef.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate
Scientists are having growing concern over the deadly starfish that are eating the Great Barrier Reef alive. The reef has been of concern for quite some time due to rising ocean temperatures, but the increase in the native crown-of-thorns starfish poses even more of a threat. This species has been known to have a fluctuating population which continuously affects other life on the reef. Starfish are known predators of coral and contribute to the reef's diversity by consuming the fast growing coral. But as coral become stressed and experience coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, they have been dying off faster than they can reproduce. This also threatens the other species of the reef that collectively support a multi-billion dollar revenue source for Australia. The Australia government has invested millions of dollars in the protection of coral, but the as coral bleaching episodes become more frequent, the recovery time between them continues to narrow. So, the questions that scientists have are 'how long will the coral get to recover?' and "when will the next episode occur?'

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Article #2 That Recent Brutally Cold Weather? It's Getting Rarer

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Article #2 That Recent Brutally Cold Weather? It's Getting Rarer

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/climate/cold-wave-northeast.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate
Despite the recent freezing cold temperatures that have been sweeping the Northeast, researchers claim that these cold spells are 15 times rarer than they were a century ago. Why? The Arctic has been warming so fast, that when polar winds descend to lower latitudes, the cold spells are warmer on average, making ones like the spell that hit the Northeast extremely rare. These cold snaps have also been reported to be on average 4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than previously. Researchers also debate the possibility that the milder Arctic air is actually causing more cold spells in this area. This would be due to the change in the jet stream. As the Arctic air shifts south, its change in pressure causes the jet stream to weaken, resulting in colder temperatures in many areas. As researchers continue to study this contradicting phenomenon, their goal is to get their findings out to the public as soon as possible.

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Article #3 Light Pollution Is Getting Worse Every Year. That's Bad For Your Health.

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Article #3 Light Pollution Is Getting Worse Every Year. That's Bad For Your Health.

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http://time.com/5033099/light-pollution-health/
Light has been on of the oldest symbols of civilization. A prime example of such is the the popular image captured by satellites of the Korean peninsula, powerfully representing the relationship between modern civilization and illumination. A new study suggests that humanity has taken the power of electricity too far, leading to extreme light pollution. As the planet becomes brighter, it poses more threats to human and animal health and threats to major ecosystems overall. The brightening of the planet is thanks to the growth and development of countries; places that were once dark and now brighter than ever. Stargazing has even become nearly impossible as cities faintly light up dark countrysides. Researchers have observed that from 1992 to 2012, the earth has become 2.2% brighter each year. Larger, wealthier countries are clearly the biggest contributors, through airports, suburban towns, shopping, dining, business and entertainment districts in urban areas that are illuminated into the late hours of the night. What threat does this pose to the environment? It's biggest target are ecosystems that are for the most part inactive during the night. The brightening night sky has been throwing off ecosystem patterns, weakening them. This causes disruptions to food chains. For example, sea turtles that hatch on the beach at night have been snatched up by predators due to increased visibility, causing a decrease in their population. Additionally, migrating birds are thrown off course as the moon and stars, points of navigation, are washed out. Vegetation has also been blooming out of season, affecting crop productivity. As far as human health, the brightening sky has altered sleep patterns and quality, causing obesity, an increased risk of caner, and a decrease in daytime function.

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Article #4 Donald Trump Used to Say Climate Change Is a Hoax. The Government Just Confirmed It Isn't

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Article #4 Donald Trump Used to Say Climate Change Is a Hoax. The Government Just Confirmed It Isn't

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http://time.com/5007913/climate-change-report-trump/
This past November, a federal report was released, challenging the Trump Administration's refusal to address the threats of global warming. From rising sea levels to rapid global temperature increases, there are dangers that cannot be ignored. The National Climate Assessment predicts that by the end of the century sea levels will rise by eight feet, global temperatures will continue to rise, and forest fires will pose even more of a threat, growing more severe. We are living in a time that has been the warmest of all modern civilization. Despite the dangers the assessment presents, it will likely still face undermining efforts from government officials with similar mindsets to Trump. Trump has repeatedly called global warming a "hoax," making it highly unlikely that he will ever address the issues that the report presents. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that the administration did not attempt to change any of the report's conclusions so far and no real threats have materialized. The report itself does not specifically address any policy solutions to climate change, but it did list the countries that need to slow emissions the most. If greenhouse gases continue to be emitted at the same rate, temperatures are predicted to rise by 9 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, causing humans to feel catastrophic impacts of climate change. The report's findings are not surprising to those who have been following the effects of climate change, but government still stands as the largest obstacle.

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Article #5 West African dolphin now listed as one of Africa's rarest mammals

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Article #5 West African dolphin now listed as one of Africa's rarest mammals

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171222090329.htm
Recent assessments from ICUN's Red List have reported that the Atlantic humpback dolphin is now listed as critically endangered. The Atlantic humpback dolphin is a rarely studied dolphin species and is small, shy, and travels in small groups. Since these dolphins live in costal areas, they are known to be at risk of human activity such as fishing, offshore construction and port development. Their global population is currently down to 1,500 reproductive-aged individuals in small, isolated populations. They majority are located off the coast of the Western Sahara to central Angola. After conducting in depth research, scientists have concluded that their already small populations are on a decline that is projected to continue due to identified threats. These threats include fisheries, hunting organizations, coastal development, and habitat loss. Researchers hope that conservational efforts will be urged to help the dolphins; proper management and the use of marine protected areas can help their current situation if implemented quickly.

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Article #6 Seabed mining could destroy ecosystems

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Article #6 Seabed mining could destroy ecosystems

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180122104050.htm
Researchers have recently reported that mining on the ocean floor could destroy deep-sea ecosystems. Mining could cause irreversible damage, and not just at the mining sites. The predicted impacts include destruction of habitats, plumes of sediment, chemical pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution. Researchers have also acknowledged that their knowledge of deep sea ecosystems in limited, but what they do know is that these systems are extremely sensitive. In fact, deep sea ecosystems are so sensitive that it would take them possibly millennia to recover, if at all. The major threat mining poses is its method; extractions would need to occur across large sections of the ocean floor, rather than digging down to a great depth. Due to a rising demand of materials such as minerals and metals, the interest in deep sea mining has become of heavy interest. Unfortunately, despite the risks, mining as already began on national coastlines. Research teams have begun to develop alternatives to deep sea mining in attempt to prevent it from becoming more popular. Scientists continually worry about humanity's disregard for other ecosystems. They hope that governments will develop new laws and regulations to protect marine areas. Scientists also believe that if the issue is approached properly, deep-sea mining can be avoided altogether.