Islands

A dark volcano with smoke rising out of it surrounded by a body of water.

COVID-19 and the limits of state power: Part II

Critical State, our foreign policy newsletter, takes a deep dive into how local communities are handling COVID-19 in places like the Pacific island archipelago nation of Vanuatu.

COVID-19 and the limits of state power: Part II
High tide at Nukatoa Island, in the Takuu Atoll, Papua New Guinea.

Understanding the human side of climate change relocation

Understanding the human side of climate change relocation
Havana Harbor has remained extremely polluted for decades as Cuba has lacked the money and technology to clean it up, but normalized relations relations with Washington could help change that.

Change in US-Cuba relations presents big risks — and rewards — for Cuba's environment

Change in US-Cuba relations presents big risks — and rewards — for Cuba's environment
Emilio Basilius of the Coral Reef Research Foundation holds up one of the hundreds of samples of marine organisms for the National Cancer Institute in the US.

Which Indo-Pacific island's waters are host to potentially cancer-fighting molecules?

Which Indo-Pacific island's waters are host to potentially cancer-fighting molecules?
The World

In Palau, scientists hope they've found a coral reef to save all coral reefs

In Palau, scientists hope they've found a coral reef to save all coral reefs

US Navy Jettison Bombs Near the Great Barrier Reef

A US-Australian military exercise called Talisman Saber figures in our Geo Quiz.

US Navy Jettison Bombs Near the Great Barrier Reef

After Sandy, looking at oysters as a way to protect vulnerable coastlines

Scientists are experimenting with rebuilding oyster reefs off the coast of New York City. One writer suspects that if these structures had been in place, Hurricane Sandy's massive storm surge would have been greatly reduced.

After Sandy, looking at oysters as a way to protect vulnerable coastlines

New research points to big changes, not necessarily disappearance, for coral reefs

Scientists who study climate change and ocean environments have made several recent discoveries. Their findings have challenged the conventional wisdom that climate change could eliminate coral reefs. What they've found is that they probably won't disappear, but they will see major changes.

New research points to big changes, not necessarily disappearance, for coral reefs
The World

Winners and Losers: How Climate Change Affects Coral Reefs

Winners and Losers: How Climate Change Affects Coral Reefs

VIDEO: Cryogenics may be the key to saving Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Scientists from the United States and Australia are teaming up to try and help save disappearing coral reefs, by freezing coral eggs and sperm, so that endangered species aren't lost. The coral can be grown in the lab, and then implanted on the reefs.

VIDEO: Cryogenics may be the key to saving Australia's Great Barrier Reef
The World

Podcast: Australia Through its Languages

Podcast: Australia Through its Languages

Heinz Awards Celebrate "Environmental Champions"

Ten creative people are receiving this year’s Heinz Award for their environmental efforts. Among them is a marine biologist with a hopeful message about the world’s oceans.

Heinz Awards Celebrate "Environmental Champions"
The World

Charting the Health of Coral in the Persian Gulf

Scientists are diving to the ocean floor to find out how coral reefs near Abu Dhabi survive the most extreme environments.

Charting the Health of Coral in the Persian Gulf
The World

Science Note/Crustaceans in the Reef

Researchers discover that crustaceans can detect and respond to the sounds of the coral reef. Scientists say noises from our ships could disorient the crustaceans.

Science Note/Crustaceans in the Reef

The Oyster is Their World

Oyster reefs protect our shorelines from storm damage and provide a biologically rich habitat for hundreds of fish, crabs and birds. But we've literally eaten oysters out of house and home. Now researchers in Wellfleet, Massachusetts are experimenting wit

The Oyster is Their World