Climate Change

Lake Palcacocha is located in Peru's Ancash region, at 15,000 feet above sea level.

'We are worried': Melting glaciers lead to dangerous overflow in this Peruvian lake

As ice sheets from glaciers melt, dozens of lakes around the world risk overflowing, causing potentially deadly avalanches and flooding in nearby towns and villages. In Huaraz, Peru, residents hope to find ways to prevent Lake Palcacocha from overflowing again — before it's too late.

'We are worried': Melting glaciers lead to dangerous overflow in this Peruvian lake
Guyana faces risks from climate change that include rising sea levels that could eventually submerge the capital Georgetown.

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment
The salt-makers in Mexico are preserving an ancestral tradition of artisanal salt that goes back 2,000 years.

The last of Mexico’s artisanal salt-makers preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition

The last of Mexico’s artisanal salt-makers preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition
Felled trees on Karipuna territory in the Amazonian state of Rondônia.

Lula empowers Brazil's Indigenous peoples with their own ministry. But environmental protection remains a key concern.

Lula empowers Brazil's Indigenous peoples with their own ministry. But environmental protection remains a key concern.
firefighters in a line

The world kept warming in 2022. Is the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach?

The world kept warming in 2022. Is the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach?
Large icebergs float away as the sun rises near Kulusuk, Greenland, Aug. 16, 2019.

Arctic alternatives: Part II

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arctic Council has been on hiatus. This week's Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive into the history of the council as a model of international cooperation.

Arctic alternatives: Part II
Faina Butau prepares sorghum for grinding.

Zimbabwe's farmers turn to drought-resistant grains as maize falters in drier regions

Zimbabwe has had to import maize, a staple food, for the past several years. Experts blame droughts and erratic rainfall resulting from climate change. The government is now urging farmers to grow more small grains like sorghum and millet, which are more drought-resistant.

Zimbabwe's farmers turn to drought-resistant grains as maize falters in drier regions
Bees look for water on an outdoor tap in Berlin, Germany during a hot spell, June 19, 2022.

Bees face many challenges — and climate change is ratcheting up the pressure

Honey bees, wild and native bees face threats from parasites, pesticides and habitat loss. Shorter winters, more extreme weather and more habitat destruction won’t help.

Bees face many challenges — and climate change is ratcheting up the pressure
grassy mountain

An unseasonably warm winter in Europe threatens ski resorts, tourism

​​​​​​​Countries across Europe are experiencing unseasonably warm weather this January, causing a headache for ski resorts and broader concern for what it might mean for the year ahead.

An unseasonably warm winter in Europe threatens ski resorts, tourism
A CH-47F Chinook helicopter sits nestled in the Alaska Range to offload National Park Service equipment, supplies and personnel on Kahiltna Glacier April 27, 2022. 

Arctic alternatives: Part I

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into 21st-century US policy on the Arctic, with a focus on the language used to shape these policies.

Arctic alternatives: Part I
a mom and son

Barcelona’s children find safety in numbers as they bike to school in herds 

Across Spain's Barcelona province children are getting to school in organized convoys of bikes, dubbed "bicibus," or  bicycle-bus. As with traditional bus lines, each bicibus route has stops where other cycling students can join along the way. Parents, teachers and other volunteer adults ride, too, to ensure the kids’ safety.  

Barcelona’s children find safety in numbers as they bike to school in herds 
man and woman side by side

Residents of informal settlements among the most at risk from climate change 

In Karachi, Pakistan, a tragedy this past summer highlighted those risks. 

Residents of informal settlements among the most at risk from climate change 
An iceberg melts in Kulusuk, Greenland near the Arctic Circle, Aug, 16, 2005. A new report finds permafrost in the Arctic is thawing faster than ever before.

Critical permafrost research in Russia disrupted by war in Ukraine

Most of the world’s permafrost lies in Russia. Critical research looks at how melting permafrost contributes to global warming. But sanctions against Russia this year have disrupted field work and threatened collaborations among scientists.

Critical permafrost research in Russia disrupted by war in Ukraine
After the species was found, it was immediately described by scientists as highly threatened. This is a tragic predicament of many modern biologists.

Biologists describe a new owl species on Príncipe Island — and hope they can save it before it disappears

Researchers have discovered a new owl species called the Príncipe scops-owl, known for its unique call and genetic make-up. They found it on Príncipe, a small island off the western coast of central Africa — and they say it's critically endangered.

Biologists describe a new owl species on Príncipe Island — and hope they can save it before it disappears
View of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.

Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, who now directs the 100 Year Starship Project, talks about the power of the "big, blue marble" image of planet Earth, taken 50 years ago.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.