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CNET
03-07-2025
- Science
- CNET
Starlink Plans to Send 42K Satellites Into Space. That Could Be Bad News for the Ozone
Satellites like the ones used for Starlink's internet service could be depleting the Earth's ozone layer when they're deorbited, according to a study funded by NASA and published in Geophysical Research Letters in June. 2024. When Starlink's satellites reach the end of their lives, they burn up in the Earth's atmosphere and leave behind small particles of aluminum oxide. These travel down into the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that these oxides have increased eightfold from 2016 to 2022. Not all of these are caused by Starlink -- the internet provider didn't launch its first satellites until May 2019 -- but it currently has the largest fleet by far. Of the roughly 10,000 active objects in low Earth orbit, more than 7,750 belong to Starlink, according to data collected by Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist who tracks satellite launches. The company currently has permission to launch 12,000 more satellites and has as many as 42,000 planned in the future, according to These satellites are designed to last about five years. A 550-pound satellite will release about 66 pounds of aluminum oxide nanoparticles during reentry. Starlink's satellites have grown heavier over time, with the latest version weighing in at about 2,760 pounds. The aluminum will mostly be released between 30 and 50 miles above the Earth's surface but will then drift down to the ozone layer, which would take about 30 years. We're already seeing these effects -- satellites burning up in 2022 caused a 29.5% increase of aluminum in the atmosphere above the natural level -- but the researchers said it will only get worse. Locating local internet providers "This is primarily a concern for the large number of satellites to be launched in the future," Joseph Wang, one of the study's authors, told CNET. "We projected a yearly excess of more than 640% over the natural level. Based on that projection, we are very worried." Unlike other substances that deplete the ozone, aluminum oxide particles aren't consumed in the process, the researchers said. They continue to harm the ozone layer until they naturally descend to lower altitudes, which could take about 30 years. If Starlink scales up as it hopes, more than 8,000 satellites could burn up in the atmosphere every year. The researchers applied a forecasting model to account for the growing number of satellites in the sky and found that the amount of aluminum could grow to 360 metric tons -- or 640% above natural levels. Starlink has led exponential growth of satellites in the sky What's maybe most alarming about this new research is how much is still uncharted territory. "The environmental impacts from the reentry of satellites are currently poorly understood," the study states. In the four years that Starlink has been launching satellites, it accounts for 40% of all satellites ever launched, and it plans on increasing its fleet seven times over. Starlink's main competitor, Amazon's Project Kuiper, plans to launch 3,232 satellites in the coming years. An article published in Nature determined that 100,000 satellites in the sky "is not just feasible but quite likely." This is almost entirely because of private companies such as SpaceX, Amazon and OneWeb that are launching satellites to provide high-speed internet. According to the EPA, excessive UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, cataracts and weakened immune systems, as well as reduced crop yield and disruptions in the marine food chain. "As reentry rates increase, it is crucial to further explore the concerns highlighted in this study," researchers say. Starlink didn't respond to CNET's request for comment.
E&E News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
5 things to know about Trump's attacks on the Montreal Protocol
As treaties go, the Montreal Protocol is often considered one of the most successful. But the United States' continued participation in the 1987 agreement to save the ozone layer is suddenly in question. President Donald Trump's proposed rescission package calls for eliminating funding to the Montreal Protocol, as part of a plan to claw back $437 million appropriated for international organizations and programs during the Biden administration. Advertisement The potential funding cuts coincide with a previously scheduled meeting next week in which treaty members will discuss technical aspects of the agreement. The U.S. has not confirmed whether it will attend, potentially escalating the Trump administration's policy of snubbing global environmental conferences. The White House directed questions to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not respond to a request for comment. Proponents say there is little question that the Montreal Protocol benefits America by creating new markets for U.S. goods and protecting people from the sun's harmful radiation. The treaty has cut pollutants that burn holes in the ozone layer and contribute to planetary warming. It is supported by every country — and American businesses, environmentalists and both political parties. But budget cuts that would deprive the treaty of funding — along with agencies like NOAA and NASA that help monitor whether countries are adhering to its provisions — could affect how well the treaty operates, experts argue. 'You need a monitoring network like we have, and improvements to it, to have the confidence that everybody's playing by the rules,' said David Doniger, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council. 'If the U.S. budget cuts were to threaten this network, it would be to our detriment.' Here are five things to know about the Montreal Protocol and how Trump's proposals could harm it. What is it? The 38-year-old agreement is the first United Nations treaty to achieve universal ratification, joined by 197 countries. Then-President Ronald Reagan called it 'a model of cooperation' after signing it in 1988. It helps to protect the ozone layer through binding commitments to eliminate the production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals once commonly found in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays. Unlike other climate pacts, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, the Montreal Protocol requires countries to reduce pollution and restrict trade with nations that fail to meet the treaty's goals. 'It says these gases are bad, you shall not make them,' said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, a nonprofit that focuses on cutting short-lived climate pollutants. The protocol has a financial mechanism called the Multilateral Fund that helps poorer countries meet their commitments to phase out harmful chemicals. It's funded through contributions from the U.S. and other developed countries. What has the Montreal Protocol achieved? It has helped curb dozens of chemicals that degrade the ozone layer, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Many of the chemicals trap heat, so the treaty has also been a successful climate pact. The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol goes further by targeting a class of coolants known as hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. They were meant to replace CFCs because they don't have an ozone effect, but HFCs were found to be far worse for the climate than carbon dioxide. Scientists say the Montreal Protocol will prevent as much as 2.5 degrees of additional warming by the end of this century, with Kigali adding benefits. It has also helped protect forests and other ecosystems that suck up planet-warming carbon dioxide, making the ozone treaty a vital tool in combating climate change. 'It's been the most effective international mechanism by which we've avoided egregious human health impacts in the form of skin cancer [and] cataracts' but also the consequences of warming such as intensifying wildfires, hurricanes and droughts, said Richie Kaur, an advocate for superpollutant reduction at NRDC. Why has it earned bipartisan backing? Short answer: It's good for business. In 2020, during Trump's first term, Congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, or AIM, which mandates the phasedown of HFCs and brings the U.S. in line with the climate goals of the Kigali Amendment. Two years later, President Joe Biden ratified Kigali with approval from the Senate, making the U.S. the 138th country to sign on. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was a leader in advancing those policies. 'Our message was that business is working on the transition, it's going to benefit the economy, it's going to open up access to markets, level the playing field for U.S. participation in those markets, and the economic story has continued to be a good one,' said Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability at the Chamber. Ratification of Kigali was driven by a rare collaboration between industry and environmental organizations. It was also pushed forward by a bipartisan group of senators who argued that ratifying it would 'help secure America's place as a global leader' in manufacturing by offering U.S. products an advantage in global markets. Is the treaty under threat? It's unlikely that the U.S. would withdraw from the Montreal Protocol, in part because it could hurt American businesses. The White House fiscal 2026 budget request for EPA would continue support for provisions of the Clean Air Act and the AIM Act that address domestic obligations to the Montreal Protocol. But cuts to international funding could hobble it. 'The U.S. needs to continue its domestic implementation programs as well as their support for the international process,' said Kevin Fay, executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, an industry coalition. 'And a key part of that international support is helping to promote U.S. technology and U.S. industry and jobs around the globe.' U.S. contributions to the treaty's multilateral fund help other countries meet their obligations under the Montreal Protocol. And when a country like India looks for air conditioners that are made without harmful chemicals, they often buy American-made products. 'The multilateral fund is critical to creating markets in developing countries for U.S. products,' said Josh Klein, a former senior Democratic staffer for international environmental policy on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While the U.S. isn't the only country that contributes money to the fund, it has provided roughly a quarter of all funding since its establishment in 1991. The U.S. also offers experts to the protocol's scientific advisory panel. Staffing cuts at NOAA and NASA could affect that work. What's next? Officials from around the world will gather next week in Bangkok for a regular meeting to discuss issues that underpin the treaty, including funding and atmospheric monitoring. The State Department wouldn't confirm whether the U.S. was sending a delegation. A State-led review of whether the U.S. should withdraw from certain international organizations and treaties is expected in early August. The Montreal Protocol is likely to survive because of its popularity among business groups, but the president's planned budget cuts could degrade its ability to function, advocates said. 'We do know that it's up to Congress whether to approve these things, whether it's in the form of rescissions this year or the budget request for next year,' said Doniger, of NRDC. In the past when deep cuts have loomed over NOAA and NASA, they have been rejected by Congress. 'We're hoping that happens again,' Doniger added.
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Environment Ministry, UNIDO sign agreement to phase down harmful refrigerants
AMMAN — The Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on Tuesday signed a project document launching the first phase of Jordan's Kigali Amendment Implementation Plan under the Montreal Protocol, aimed at protecting the ozone layer. The partnership aims to support Jordan in fulfilling its international commitments to gradually phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change, according to a ministry statement. The project would also help develop a comprehensive national framework for managing HFCs and encourage the transition to more climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable alternatives, the statement said. Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh said the first phase of the project would prioritise key activities, including support for six Jordanian companies in the domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. It will also provide specialised training equipment and tools for workers in the transport refrigeration servicing sector. Additionally, the project would strengthen the technical capacities of the Vocational Training Corporation, the Customs Department, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation, industrial schools, and universities offering refrigeration and air conditioning programmes. Radaideh described the initiative as a pioneering step towards sustainable industrial development, enabling local companies to shift to environmentally safe refrigerants and reinforcing Jordan's commitment to international environmental agreements. He also expressed appreciation for UNIDO's continued partnership. UNIDO Resident Representative in Jordan Sulafa Madanat highlighted the project as a model for international cooperation, underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships in accelerating climate action and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative is being implemented within the framework of Jordan's National Cooling Strategy and supports national climate objectives outlined in the Kingdom's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The first phase is backed by approximately $2.5 million in funding. This phase is expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced international cooperation and resource mobilisation in subsequent stages, positioning Jordan as a regional leader in environmental protection and sustainable development, the statement said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Supernova may have caused an ice age: Study
(NewsNation) — A supernova could have triggered one of the Earth's ice ages, something that could happen again in the future. A new study revealed the timing of the Vela supernova aligned with a period known as the Younger Dryas, when global temperatures dropped and ice sheets began advancing. Scientists believe the exploding star bombarded the planet with radiation that severely damaged the ozone layer based on tree ring records showing a spike in radioactive carbon-14, which indicates atmospheric radiation increased. Bobcat Fever: Deadly disease that kills cats in the Midwest Ice cores also revealed a decrease in methane concentrations, and archaeological sites across North America have 'black mat' deposit,s and fossil records show the extinction of mammals, including the mammoth and saber-toothed cats. Without protection from the ozone layer, harmful ultraviolet radiation would reach the surface of the Earth, triggering massive wildfires and causing DNA damage to plants and animals. The study also found several other potential connections between supernova incidents and changes in the Earth's climate. Toxic-exposed veterans: Bill calls for more research on health issues among families Other scientists are skeptical about the results, pointing out alternative explanations, including ocean circulation disruptions from freshwater floods, solar storms spiking carbon-14 and mammal extinctions due to asteroid impacts or human hunting. If supernovas are the cause, it could be something the Earth faces again. Several nearby stars could become future supernovas, including a red giant called Betelgeuse that may explode within the next million years. A supernova might not necessarily cause a mass extinction, but it could still have impacts on the planet's atmosphere and climate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Booming space industry could hurt ozone layer's recovery
Photo: Twitter/SpaceX The rapidly growing number of rocket launches could slow the recovery of the ozone layer, a study led by New Zealand scientists shows. The ozone layer is healing because of countries phasing out CFCs - but rocket launches could slow its recovery if the space industry grows as fast as it wants to, found researchers from the University of Canterbury, Harvard, Saint Petersburg State University and elsewhere . They are urging space companies to choose cleaner fuels to minimise ozone damage as rockets pass through the stratosphere. "At the moment it's a not problem because the launches happen too infrequently," said University of Canterbury atmospheric scientist Laura Revell, one of the authors of the study . "As we get more and more launches taking place - because there are companies out there with very bold ambitions to increase launch frequency - this is potentially going to be a problem." Although most rockets are launched from the Northern Hemisphere, the worst impacts on the protective layer of ozone will be felt over Antarctica, with implications for sunburn and cancer-causing UVB rays reaching people living in Aotearoa. In a conservative growth scenario where launches take place about once a week at all currently active launch sites - about 900 in total a year - "we do see some some ozone loss but not significant amounts," said Revell. "But when we look at a more ambitious scenario, when we looked at the upper limits of what might be launched in future - around 2,000 launches year - we saw levels of ozone loss that are concerning in the context of ozone recovery," she said. Based on current rates of licensing, that level could be reached in 2030, said the authors. They said the industry had already grown from 102 launches worldwide in 2019, to 258 in 2024. The ozone layer as seen from space. Photo: 123rf Revell said the study was not saying there was going to be widespread depletion or that melanoma rates were going to skyrocket, "but a few per cent depletion, which is enough to offset the gains we have seen the past few years as CFCs have been phased out." She said the Electron rockets launched from Mahia peninsula by Rocket Lab had a relatively minor impact because of their small size. She said the space industry needed to consider its choices of fuel, as it grew. "This is not locked in. It is possible to avoid a future in which we have a scaled up rocket launch industry and also a slowing of ozone recovery, but there needs to be care taken and global efforts to ensure we are very mindful of what is emitted and where." "Not all fuel types actually cause ozone depletion." Ozone losses are driven by the chlorine produced from solid rocket motor propellant, and black carbon which is emitted from most propellants, the study says. Revell said the problem had been known about since the 1980s but was becoming more relevant as more rockets were launched. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
