Debt-disaster-debt: hurricane-damaged islands are being saddled with loans they cannot afford

The countries most responsible for climate-driven extreme weather must do more to help.

Matt Bishop, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, University of Sheffield • conversation
July 9, 2024 ~6 min

New evidence challenges the story of Easter Island’s collapse

"We see clear evidence that while ancient islanders faced difficulties, they also found ingenious solutions..."

U. Arizona • futurity
June 26, 2024 ~12 min


Rocks on Rapa Nui tell the story of a small, resilient population − countering the notion of a doomed overpopulated island

Satellite data shows the amount of food the residents of the tiny Pacific island have grown over time, pointing to a small but stable population.

Carl Lipo, Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean for Research, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
June 21, 2024 ~10 min

With a record-breaking 2024 Atlantic hurricane forecast, here’s how scientists are helping Caribbean communities adapt to a warming world

Hardening electric transmission systems and monitoring ocean temperatures are two key priorities.

Jorge González-Cruz, Professor of Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York • conversation
June 5, 2024 ~8 min

Thirsty in paradise: Water crises are a growing problem across the Caribbean islands

Water is everywhere, but freshwater supplies are limited on many Caribbean islands. Rising demand and climate change are worsening water shortages for the people who live here.

Farah Nibbs, Assistant Professor of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
May 13, 2024 ~10 min

Climate engineering carries serious national security risks − countries facing extreme heat may try it anyway, and the world needs to be prepared

The big question: Would climate engineering like sending reflective particles into the stratosphere or brightening clouds help reduce the national security risks of climate change or make them worse?

Tyler Felgenhauer, Research Scientist in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University • conversation
April 4, 2024 ~9 min

New islands are being built at sea – but they won’t help millions made homeless by sea-level rise

A flurry of island-building during the last two decades has furnished the rich with new properties.

Alastair Bonnett, Professor of Geography, Newcastle University • conversation
March 20, 2024 ~7 min

How COP28 failed the world's small islands

From a ‘litany of loopholes’ to a lopsided deal on loss and damage.

Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, Lecturer in Law & Head of the Caribbean Environmental Law Unit, Faculty of Law and Co-I, One Ocean Hub, The University of the West Indies, Barbados • conversation
Dec. 15, 2023 ~8 min


Extreme weather may help invasive species outcompete native animals – new study

Non-native species tend to be better at exploiting the disturbance caused by storms, fires or droughts.

Harry Shepherd, Postdoctoral Research Associate, King's College London • conversation
Nov. 7, 2023 ~7 min

Wildfires have wreaked havoc this summer – these plants were prepared

Climate change is making fires more frequent and severe in the Canary Islands, pushing plants to their evolutionary limit.

Mark Chapman, Associate Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Southampton • conversation
Sept. 7, 2023 ~6 min

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