Indonesians say being prepared for climate-related disasters helped blunt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic—and that lessons in resilience may mitigate the effects of climate crises in the future.
COVID-19
Birds Sang a New Song During the Pandemic
White-crowned sparrows in the San Francisco Bay Area sang differently during California’s COVID-19-induced shutdown, recordings have revealed.
Fibers Pick Up Silicon Valley Traffic Changes During Quarantine
Fiber-optic cables measured a 50% decline in Sand Hill Road traffic in March.
COVID Clears the Skies for Earth-Observing Drones in Nepal
When the pandemic hit Nepal and the country’s main airport drastically cut flights, a group of drone experts, local governments, and scientists saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gather geodata.
Podcast: The Unusual Relationship Between Climate and Pandemics
Two recent studies show how climate affects human pandemics and how pandemics, in turn, alter the environment.
COVID-19 Lockdown Reduces Forest Fires in the Western Himalayas
The overlap between peak fire season and pandemic response has made for a serendipitous experiment in forest fires in two Indian states. Humans, not lightning, seem to be the likeliest culprit.
The Seismic Hush of the Coronavirus
Scientists are listening for faint natural signals during the quiet of coronavirus lockdowns.
Accessibility and Fieldwork in the Time of Coronavirus
Fieldwork in the geosciences is increasingly relying on groundwork laid by accessibility advocates.
When Natural Disasters Cross the Path of COVID-19
Natural hazards are intersecting with the coronavirus pandemic in India, and researchers will need to model both to inform the public health response.
Will COVID’s Cleaner Skies Muddy Climate Models?
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions for a year or two won’t slow down climate change, but they may throw off scientists’ ability to model short-term phenomena.