Satellites, including those used for GPS and communications, will face greater risks in coming decades during solar-triggered geomagnetic storms because of the effect climate pollution has on Earth's atmosphere, a new study found.
The increasing volume of planet-warming carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere is likely to make the air less dense, while geomagnetic storms have the opposite effect: The ensuing rapid changes in density as a result could cause serious troubles for satellite operations.
This study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, comes at a time when the world is growing more dependent on satellite networks for everything from internet access to navigation, as well as military applications.
Geomagnetic storms occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with the Earth's upper atmosphere. Their most visible impact is the auroras that light up the sky with green, purple and pink light. But strong storms can wreak havoc on satellite operations and communication.
A less dense atmosphere means satellites in the future would experience less drag, and that could lengthen their lifespan — and would also exacerbate the problem of more space junk in low Earth orbit, Nicholas Pedatella of the National Center for Atmospheric Research told CNN.
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Sustainable construction is entering an era defined by measurable performance and verifiable environmental accountability. The refurbishment of IKEA’s Oxford Street store exemplifies this evolution. Through collaboration with ASWS, the retention and upgrade of original hardwood windows eliminated the need for replacement manufacturing, significantly lowering the embodied carbon in materials. The project demonstrates how a whole life carbon assessment linked with life cycle cost optimisation converts traditional refurbishment into a model of sustainable building design. Each decision supports environmental sustainability in construction, aligning operational savings with circular economy principles and long-term resource efficiency.
In North Sussex, the approval of 21,000 new homes has reignited debate around how planning frameworks can embed sustainability requirements from the outset. While the development primarily focuses on delivery, its scale elevates discussions on whole life carbon accounting and the BREEAM benchmarks that guide energy-efficient buildings. As local authorities increasingly demand evidence of low embodied carbon materials and sustainable material specification, the expectation is that lifecycle assessment and end-of-life reuse in construction will move from optional to regulatory. These measures will underpin net zero whole life carbon goals within both residential and commercial developments.
Emerging technologies are also reshaping circular economy strategies across the construction supply chain. Compact reverse vending systems, though designed for retail, reveal how decentralised waste processing could cut the carbon footprint of construction sites. By enabling on-site separation and recycling, contractors can implement eco-design for buildings that support circular economy in construction, reducing transport emissions and supporting green construction standards. Such approaches strengthen the link between low carbon design and life cycle thinking in construction, ensuring that resource loops remain closed from specification to demolition.
Researchers mapping global transition mineral extraction through AI and satellite imaging are adding transparency to the sourcing of renewable building materials. This digital oversight helps quantify the carbon footprint of construction materials and fosters adoption of environmental product declarations (EPDs) across the supply chain. Smart certification systems anchored in building lifecycle performance will give investors and regulators more confidence in low-impact construction. As data-driven verification improves, the market will increasingly reward green building products and carbon neutral construction solutions that meet both ethical and regulatory expectations.
A shift in public sentiment towards climate investment reinforces the financial foundation of sustainable architecture and sustainable urban development. Strong support for renewables within pension portfolios suggests capital may be redirected towards green infrastructure and net zero carbon buildings. If political commitment strengthens, embodied carbon metrics and whole life carbon evaluations will likely become routine in design approvals. Integrated lifecycle assessment, low carbon building methods and sustainable building practices together mark a decisive step towards decarbonising the built environment, transforming sustainability from aspiration into measurable construction performance.
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