Top 10+ Earth Truths That Changed What We Thought We Knew

1. The Earth’s Core is Solid, Not Liquid

For decades, many textbooks showed diagrams with the Earth’s core depicted as a swirling, molten mass. Recent seismic research, published in Nature Geoscience in 2024, has turned this picture on its head.

Scientists discovered that the very center of our planet—a dense sphere made mostly of iron and nickel—is actually solid, not liquid. This conclusion came from analyzing seismic waves produced by large earthquakes, which behave differently as they pass through solids versus liquids.

The solid core’s temperature is staggeringly high, exceeding 5,000 degrees Celsius. This finding matters because the solid core’s interaction with the surrounding liquid outer core helps generate Earth’s magnetic field through the dynamo effect.

Understanding this process is crucial for predicting changes in Earth’s magnetic field, which can impact navigation systems and animal migrations. The solid core discovery also sheds light on how our planet has cooled and evolved over billions of years.

2. Climate Change is Accelerating Faster Than Predicted

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a bombshell report in 2024, warning that the planet is heating up much faster than previously thought. Global average temperature is now on track to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as soon as 2025, a threshold once thought to be decades away.

Greenhouse gas emissions have soared, with atmospheric CO2 levels climbing past 420 parts per million—higher than at any point in human history. These changes aren’t just numbers: extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires have become more frequent and devastating in places such as the United States, Australia, and Southern Europe.

The latest models, revised with new data, show that climate impacts are arriving years earlier than most experts had predicted. This rapid acceleration has forced governments and communities to rethink adaptation and mitigation strategies, as the window for effective action narrows.

3. Microplastics are Ubiquitous in Our Environment

Tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters wide, known as microplastics, have infiltrated nearly every corner of the planet. A 2024 study in Environmental Science & Technology found microplastics in 90% of ocean samples, stretching from the Arctic ice to deep-sea trenches.

Even rainwater and mountain air aren’t immune; microplastics have been detected falling from the sky in remote regions. Marine animals, from plankton to whales, are ingesting these particles, which can cause health problems and disrupt food chains.

Humans aren’t spared either—microplastics have been found in drinking water, salt, and even human blood. The health risks are only beginning to be understood, but early studies suggest links to inflammation and hormonal disruption.

This widespread contamination has spurred urgent calls for improved plastic waste management and bans on certain types of single-use plastics worldwide.

4. Biodiversity Loss is Accelerating

The World Wildlife Fund’s 2024 Living Planet Report delivered a sobering statistic: since 1970, monitored wildlife populations have plummeted by an average of 68%. The culprits are clear—habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation.

This mass decline isn’t limited to a few species; it spans mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The report warns that over 1 million species now face extinction in the coming decades, a loss that would unravel the intricate web of life on Earth.

Ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and disease regulation are at risk, threatening food security and human health. In response, conservationists are ramping up efforts in rewilding—reintroducing native species to restored habitats—and using technology to monitor and protect endangered species more effectively.

Innovative approaches, including community-led conservation and habitat corridors, are showing promise in slowing the tide of biodiversity loss.

5. The Ocean is a Major Carbon Sink

Oceans have always been a mystery, but one of their most vital roles has only recently come into sharp focus. Research published in Nature Climate Change in 2025 confirmed that oceans absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities annually.

This “carbon sink” effect helps buffer the planet from even faster climate change. However, this process comes with a dangerous side effect: ocean acidification.

As CO2 dissolves in seawater, it lowers the pH, threatening coral reefs and shell-forming marine life. Coral bleaching events and mass die-offs of shellfish have been recorded with alarming frequency in the last two years.

Scientists are now urging global leaders to prioritize marine protection, arguing that healthy oceans are essential for climate stability. Expanding marine protected areas and reducing pollution could boost the ocean’s capacity to sequester carbon—and protect the millions who depend on oceans for food and livelihoods.

6. The Impact of Urban Heat Islands

A 2024 study from NOAA has shown that cities are getting much hotter than their rural surroundings, an effect known as the urban heat island phenomenon. On average, urban areas can be up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit (about 4 degrees Celsius) warmer than nearby countryside.

This extra heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it increases health risks, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly and children. The heat also drives up demand for air conditioning, leading to spikes in electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Major cities like New York, Tokyo, and Paris have reported more frequent and severe heatwaves in recent summers, straining public health systems. In response, urban planners are investing in green roofs, urban forests, and reflective building materials to cool cityscapes.

These changes are helping to lower temperatures and improve air quality, but the challenge is immense as urbanization continues at a rapid pace.

7. The Role of Soil in Carbon Sequestration

Healthy soil is emerging as one of the planet’s unsung climate heroes. According to a major 2024 report from the Soil Health Institute, well-managed soils can lock away up to 20% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Techniques like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic farming all boost soil’s ability to store carbon. The science is clear: soil isn’t just dirt, it’s a living ecosystem that supports crops, filters water, and captures carbon.

Farmers in the United States, Brazil, and India have reported improved yields and resilience to drought by adopting regenerative practices. Governments and companies are now investing in soil health as part of their climate strategies, offering incentives to encourage wider adoption.

This approach is seen as a win-win, improving food security while fighting climate change at the ground level.

8. Renewable Energy Surpasses Fossil Fuels

In a stunning turn, 2024 marked the first year in which renewable energy sources—mainly solar and wind—generated more electricity worldwide than fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that renewables supplied 52% of global electricity, up from just 27% a decade earlier.

This transition is fueled by rapidly falling costs: the price of solar panels dropped by 15% in the last year alone, and wind turbines are more efficient than ever. Countries like China, Germany, and the United States are leading the charge, building massive solar farms and offshore wind projects.

The shift is also creating jobs, with the renewable energy sector projected to employ over 40 million people globally by 2025. As governments set ambitious net-zero targets, investments in energy storage and smart grids are accelerating, signaling a major realignment of the world’s energy system.

9. The Importance of Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation

A 2024 UNESCO report underscored the vital role of Indigenous peoples in preserving biodiversity. Indigenous communities manage or influence more than a quarter of the world’s land surface, much of it rich in species and carbon storage.

Their traditional knowledge—passed down through generations—has proven effective in maintaining healthy forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Case studies from Brazil, Canada, and Australia show that lands stewarded by Indigenous peoples often have higher biodiversity and lower deforestation rates than protected areas managed by governments alone.

The report makes a strong case for including Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making, highlighting successful partnerships and co-management agreements. As global leaders search for solutions to the biodiversity crisis, integrating Indigenous knowledge is increasingly seen as essential for effective and just conservation.

10. The Threat of Permafrost Melting

A 2025 study published in Nature delivered a stark warning about the dangers lurking beneath the Arctic’s frozen ground. Permafrost—soil that has remained frozen for thousands of years—is thawing rapidly, releasing trapped methane and carbon dioxide.

Methane is a greenhouse gas more than 25 times as potent as CO2 over a 100-year period. Researchers estimate that permafrost thaw could add 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius of additional warming by 2100 if current trends continue.

The consequences are already visible: roads and buildings in Alaska and Siberia are buckling as the ground softens, and ancient viruses have been found in thawed layers. Scientists are urging immediate action to limit warming and protect permafrost regions, arguing that failure to do so could unleash a “carbon bomb” with global repercussions.

Get more from ClimateCosmos!

What do you think about this topic? Share your thoughts in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! Want more stories like this? Follow us and never miss out!