In Patagonia, climate researchers are documenting dramatic glacier melt-off, including on the slopes of the Cerro Hyades, where ice has vanished within just two years. Glaciers across the region are shrinking at record speed due to rising global temperatures. Experts warn that even a 1.5°C increase could lead to a 30% global loss in glacier mass by 2100. With billions of people worldwide relying on glacier run-off for water, urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is critical to prevent further destabilization.

 

Why are the poles warming faster than other places?

'Polar amplification' is a term that describes the more rapid rise in temperature in the Arctic and Antarctic than other places on the planet. Scientists say several reasons play a role in the phenomenon. One is that melting ice reduces surface reflectivity (albedo), causing a vicious circle of more heat absorption and further melt. Another is that heat from the tropics is increasingly transported to the poles via shifting ocean currents and wind patterns. Rising water vapor levels also trap heat that in the past would have been reflected back into space.

 

CCS – solution or mistake? CO2 repository to open in Norway

Norway is launching the world's first CO2 repository under the seabed, aiming to capture, liquefy, and inject emissions into the ground deep beneath the North Sea. The pilot project promises safe, long-term storage in porous sandstone sealed by shale. While Norwegian scientists see minimal risk, critics argue Carbon Capture & Sequestration (CCS) encourages fossil fuel use. Experts say CCS could reduce emissions in the atmosphere by up to 10%, but stress that expanding renewables remains the key to climate neutrality.

 

Visitor to our Solar System – the comet 3I/Atlas

The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas – a mysterious messenger from the depths of space – is providing researchers with rare insights into the early days of the universe.

Comet 3I/Atlas, which was first discovered in July by a Chilean telescope, is only the third known interstellar object to pass through our Solar System. Traveling at over 200,000 km/h, it offers scientists a rare chance to study material from beyond our cosmic neighborhood. Researchers at the University of Bern captured images of the comet with a camera that’s currently orbiting Mars. They are now preparing instruments for future missions to analyze gases comets give off when they sublimate, hoping to uncover clues about planetary formation and the origins of life.

 

AI crunches environmental data, bringing climate change to life

In the future, people will be able to experience via app and VR how greenery, fountains and trees directly influence urban climates.

Researchers at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences are using AI and real-time data to visualize climate and traffic patterns in urban areas. Their Crafting Futures project lets users simulate environmental changes—like adding trees or fountains—and see their impact on local temperatures. With support from the German Research Center for AI, the goal is to make complex data accessible to not only planners, but also the general populace, helping cities adapt to climate change through informed decisions.

 

AI and drones working in concert to protect historical trees

In Stuttgart’s Hohenheim Gardens, arborists and researchers are using sensors and drones to monitor the health of centuries-old trees. The project combines ground-based water content measurements with multispectral aerial imaging to detect early signs of stress caused by climate change. The goal is to develop tools that help preserve historic trees across Europe. By making invisible changes visible, the team hopes to protect these living landmarks for generations.

 

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