Whales and dolphins now have legal personhood in the Pacific – but one treaty won’t be enough to protect them

A new treaty could help protect cetaceans in the Pacific, but more needs to be done internationally.

John Whitehead, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
April 15, 2024 ~9 min

El Niño is starting to lose strength after fueling a hot, stormy year, but it’s still powerful − an atmospheric scientist explains what’s ahead for 2024

The strong El Niño that started in 2023 will still have big impacts at least through March. Here’s what to watch for next.

Paul Roundy, Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 ~7 min


To protect endangered sharks and rays, scientists are mapping these species' most important locations

A new initiative is pinpointing areas in the world’s oceans that are key habitats for sharks and their relatives, so that governments can consider protecting these areas.

David Shiffman, Faculty Research Associate in Marine Biology, Arizona State University • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 ~8 min

Coast redwood trees are enduring, adaptable marvels in a warming world

Redwoods grow in networks that house unique communities of plants and animals high in the air. They offer life lessons about adapting over time.

Daniel Lewis, Lecturer in History, California Institute of Technology • conversation
Jan. 3, 2024 ~9 min

Myths about plastic pollution are leading to public confusion: here's why

Media coverage of the dangers of plastic pollution can distract from what is actually needed, says an author.

Lesley Henderson, Chair professor, University of Strathclyde • conversation
Nov. 20, 2023 ~8 min

Acapulco was built to withstand earthquakes, but not Hurricane Otis' destructive winds – how building codes failed this resort city

The best science is not always the best engineering when it comes to building codes. It’s also a problem across the US, as an engineer who works on disaster resilience explains.

Michel Bruneau, Professor of Engineering, University at Buffalo • conversation
Nov. 7, 2023 ~9 min

How animal traits have shaped the journey of species across the globe

New research looks at how different species have managed to cross geographic barriers throughout history and whether their individual traits played a crucial role in these journeys.

Sarah-Sophie Weil, PhD candidate, Swansea University • conversation
Oct. 17, 2023 ~7 min

What is a strong El Niño? Meteorologists anticipate a big impact in winter 2023, but the forecasts don't all agree

An atmospheric scientist explains how El Niño works, this year’s oddities and why this phenomenon doesn’t last long.

Aaron Levine, Atmospheric Research Scientist, CICOES, University of Washington • conversation
Oct. 12, 2023 ~8 min


Why Japan has started pumping water from Fukushima into the Pacific – and should we be concerned?

Japan’s much-criticised plan to release wastewater from Fukushima into the Pacific is underway – and many are concerned.

Edmond Sanganyado, Assistant Professor in Environmental Forensics, Northumbria University, Newcastle • conversation
Aug. 25, 2023 ~6 min

Remote Pacific coral reef shows at least some ability to cope with ocean warming – new study

This may buy us time, but many reefs are still doomed without serious action on climate change.

Liam Lachs, PhD Candidate in Climate Change Ecology and Evolution, Newcastle University • conversation
Aug. 22, 2023 ~8 min

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