How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions

The UN has agreed to charge ships for the greenhouse gases they emit – but the price is far too low.

Simon Bullock, Research Associate, Shipping and Climate Change, University of Manchester • conversation
April 17, 2025 ~7 min

At a pivotal meeting, the world is set to decide how to cut shipping emissions

But some countries are more on board than others.

Tristan Smith, Reader in Energy and Transport, UCL • conversation
April 7, 2025 ~8 min


The Panama Canal’s other conflict: Water security for the population and the global economy

Two-thirds of the Panama Canal watershed’s freshwater goes to operate the locks. The country plans to build another reservoir to funnel in more water, but hundreds of homes stand in the way.

Karina Garcia, Researcher and Lecturer in Climate, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá • conversation
March 31, 2025 ~8 min

The world regulated sulfur in ship fuels − and the lightning stopped

An unplanned experiment takes scientists closer to solving a long-standing mystery: To what extent, if any, have human-created emissions influenced thunderstorms?

Chris Wright, Fellow in Atmospheric Science, Program on Climate Change, University of Washington • conversation
March 11, 2025 ~8 min

Norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug, is on the rise – an infectious disease expert explains the best ways to stay safe

You can get norovirus any time of the year, but it spreads most during the winter.

William Schaffner, Professor of preventive medicine, health policy, infectious diseses, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Jan. 27, 2025 ~6 min

Five ways to cut emissions from shipping

Shipping produces roughly the same amount of emissions as aviation, yet it is often overlooked. It’s time for change.

Guy Collender, Post Doctoral Senior Research Associate, Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures, University of Portsmouth • conversation
Jan. 22, 2025 ~8 min

Polluting shipwrecks are the ticking time-bomb at the bottom of our oceans

As their structures break down, the wrecks could release toxic substances into the environment.

Fraser Sturt, Professor of Archaeology, University of Southampton • conversation
Dec. 11, 2024 ~8 min

New maps show high-risk zones for whale-ship collisions − vessel speed limits and rerouting can reduce the toll

Colliding with ships is a top cause of whale deaths. A new study maps the areas of highest risk, showing where proven strategies such as speed limits and new shipping routes can reduce the toll.

Anna Nisi, Postdoctoral Researcher in Biology, University of Washington • conversation
Nov. 21, 2024 ~9 min


The workhorse ship of ocean drilling may have made its last voyage – here’s why scientists don’t want to see the JOIDES Resolution mothballed

The National Science Foundation says that the JOIDES Resolution has become too costly to fund. But scientists say its $72 million annual budget pales compared with discoveries the ship has enabled.

Suzanne OConnell, Harold T. Stearns Professor of Earth Science, Wesleyan University • conversation
Sept. 3, 2024 ~11 min

Boat strikes are a major driver of whale strandings

New research digs into Increased whale strandings on the east coast of the United States, which remain a concern for biologists and citizens.

Gregory Filiano-Stony Brook • futurity
June 3, 2024 ~6 min

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