Environment

National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek was thousands of miles into his Out of Eden Walk when he had to pause his journey in Myanmar to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Marco Werman speaks with him about the experience of walking and reporting through Asian regions made inaccessible by quarantines and lockdowns.

One man in Ireland has set an unusual challenge for himself: Record the sound of every bird species in the country. The mission is not frivolous, though. Many of the birds may soon be extinct.

The tropical storm that hit eastern Australia’s shores battered many beaches along a 300-mile stretch of coastline that draws millions of tourists each year. Now, local governments and volunteers are working to clean up the destruction.

Rising sea levels are a threat to coastal regions everywhere, but especially for islands. No example stands out more than the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu.

Ely is known as “the sad elephant.” She’s been depressed since she was rescued from abusive conditions at a circus years ago. Now, there are efforts underway to improve her conditions at a Mexican zoo after the country’s high court ruled in her favor.