Climate change in your flower beds

+ on TikTok, political mudslinging is an art US Edition - Today's top story: Climate change is shifting the zones where plants grow – here's what that could mean for your garden [View in browser]( US Edition | 22 March 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Jon Stewart returns – to give us all a lesson]( - [Tattoo ink can leave more than art on your arm]( - [Filled out your bracket? Give our quiz a shot!]( Lead story In Massachusetts, where I live, crocuses and daffodils are sprouting, and gardeners are starting to stock up on new plants for their flower beds. They would do well to check the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new version of its plant hardiness zone map, a well-known reference that divides the nation into climate zones as a guide to what will grow where. As West Virginia University plant pathologist Matt Kasson explains, climate change is [shifting plant hardiness zones northward]( across the U.S. That could influence which plants will flourish at your location and what stresses they will face. But don’t put down your trowel – plants are adaptable, and you may even be able to welcome some new varieties to your yard. [[How faith and religion drive the world. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, This Week in Religion.](] Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Cities Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( Climate change complicates plant choices and care. Early flowering and late freezes can kill flowers like these magnolia blossoms. Matt Kasson [Climate change is shifting the zones where plants grow – here’s what that could mean for your garden]( Matt Kasson, West Virginia University The US Department of Agriculture has updated its plant hardiness zone map, which shows where various plants will grow across the country. Gardeners should take note. Politics + Society - [Jon Stewart, still a ‘tiny, neurotic man,’ back to remind Americans what’s at stake]( Dannagal G. Young, University of Delaware In the early 2000s, Jon Stewart perfected the art of ironic satire, playfully critiquing politicians, political institutions, the press and the public. What’s his role now? - [Even presidents need a touch of madness − in March]( Daniel Palazzolo, University of Richmond Filling out brackets for the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments allows a president to be just a regular Joe. Including Joe Biden. Environment + Energy - [EPA’s new auto emissions standard will speed the transition to cleaner cars, while also addressing consumer and industry concerns]( Alan Jenn, University of California, Davis The new rule isn’t a mandate for electric vehicles, but it will sharply increase their market share over the coming decade. Science + Technology - [TikTok’s duet, green screen and stitch turn political point-scoring into an art form]( Jessica Maddox, University of Alabama TikTok’s features for combining different users’ videos have sparked a wave of creativity. They’ve also formed an arena for political arguments and insults. - [Generative AI could leave users holding the bag for copyright violations]( Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University With the right prompts, AI users can mimic copyrighted works. There’s no easy technical or legal fix. - [An eclipse for everyone – how visually impaired students can ‘get a feel for’ eclipses]( Cassandra Runyon, College of Charleston; David Hurd, Pennsylvania Western University Eclipses are rare, fantastic celestial events. Here’s how educators can help visually impaired students enjoy eclipses alongside their sighted peers. - [What’s in tattoo ink? My team’s chemical analysis found ingredients that aren’t on the label and could cause allergies]( John Swierk, Binghamton University, State University of New York Some tattoo inks contain unlabeled materials that can cause allergic reactions. - [Thin, bacteria-coated fibers could lead to self-healing concrete that fills in its own cracks]( Mohammad Houshmand, Drexel University; Yaghoob Farnam, Drexel University Your skin heals from cuts and scrapes on its own − what if concrete could do that too? Health + Medicine - [Lab tests show THC potency inflated on retail marijuana in Colorado]( Anna Schwabe, University of Colorado Boulder Misleading potency labels can disrupt medical dosages, misguide recreational users and erode trust in the industry. Economy + Business - [Why March Madness is a special time of year for state budgets]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University When the US Supreme Court legalized sports betting, states were quick to get in on the action. But as lawmakers grow reliant on taxes from betting, what do they owe problem gamblers? International - [Breakaway parties threaten to disrupt South Korea’s two-party system – can they also end parliamentary gridlock?]( Jong Eun Lee, North Greenville University Heading into a parliamentary vote, there is very little gap between the ruling People Power Party and opposition Democratic Party – raising the prospect of a smaller party emerging as kingmaker. - Trending on site - [Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know]( - [Nixon declared Americans deserved to know ‘whether their president is a crook’ – Trump says the opposite]( - [Why are Americans fighting over no-fault divorce? Maybe they can’t agree what marriage is for]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( The “Shogun” reboot arrived recently to rave reviews. When the original miniseries premiered in 1980, 33% of U.S. households with a television tuned in, making it the second-most viewed miniseries to date. What was the most-viewed miniseries at the time? - A. "Jesus of Nazareth" - B. "Roots" - C. "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" - D. "Dune" [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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