Pacific Ocean

Fiji's Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama recently led a rally in support of this year's UN climate summit in Germany, at which Fiji will be presiding.

Fijians speak from the front lines of climate change

This year's global climate summit is taking place in Germany, but it's being led by the Pacific island nation of Fiji. Here's what half a dozen Fijians think about hosting the conference and life in the cross-hairs of climate change.

Fijians speak from the front lines of climate change
A simulation of the floating screens to be deployed by Ocean Cleanup to capture small plastic down to 1 cm, up to massive discarded fishing nets.

Two proposals to clean up our oceans of garbage: Will either work?

Two proposals to clean up our oceans of garbage: Will either work?
Plans for Hughes Glomar Explorer

Confirmed: The CIA's most famous ship headed for the scrapyard

Confirmed: The CIA's most famous ship headed for the scrapyard
A sea surface temperature anomaly in the tropical Pacific Ocean during the peak of the 2009-10 El Niño.

El Niño is back, and global temperature records are in danger

El Niño is back, and global temperature records are in danger
NOAA researchers Carrie McAtee and Kristine Meise board a rigid hull inflatable boat deployed from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.

For a team of researchers stranded on an island with a storm coming, the solution was simple. Send in the Navy

For a team of researchers stranded on an island with a storm coming, the solution was simple. Send in the Navy
Nuku Island is in the southern part of Tonga.

Here's how a tiny Pacific island got better Internet than the US

Until last year, citizens of the island nation of Tonga were connected to the world via slow, expensive satellite Internet. Now a new and seemingly unlikely fiber optic network has boosted business and firmed up connections with the widespread Tongan diaspora.

Here's how a tiny Pacific island got better Internet than the US
Pat Colin, a marine scientist at the Coral Reef Research Foundation, explores the waters off of the Pacific island nation of Palau for organisms to send to the National Cancer Institute in the U.S.

Scientists search Palau's coral reefs for new anti-cancer drugs

One of the more potent reasons for saving species and the environment is that nature is where we find our most powerful medicines. For three decades, a hunt's been underway on land and sea for molecules that could help fight cancer. That hunt is winding down now in the coral reefs of Palau.

Scientists search Palau's coral reefs for new anti-cancer drugs
fins&body

Shark finning proves tough to eradicate, even in 'green' Costa Rica

The practice of catching sharks and cutting off their fins for soup and other products is lucrative business, and regulated. But illegal "finning" is tough to stop: Exhibit A is Costa Rica, which claims to be a global leader in environmental sustainability.

Shark finning proves tough to eradicate, even in 'green' Costa Rica
palau

In Palau, a glancing blow from Typhoon Haiyan prompts a glance toward climate change

Before slamming into the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan blew across the northern part of the Pacific island nation of Palau, wreaking havoc and elevating concerns about climate change.

In Palau, a glancing blow from Typhoon Haiyan prompts a glance toward climate change

Deep Sea Mining: Economic Bonanza or Environmental Boondoggle?

After decades of dreaming and scheming, companies say they're finally ready to start mining the bottom of the world's oceans for valuable minerals.

Deep Sea Mining: Economic Bonanza or Environmental Boondoggle?