In the hierarchy of anecdotal strength, very little beats steel or Kevlar. And while they’re strong, they can’t stretch. Then there’s spider silk. Sure, a strand might break in a gust of wind or on your unsuspecting face. And a web can be brushed away with a broom. But ounce for ounce, milligram for milligram, … Read more
When it comes to global water scarcity, the primary cause isn’t climate change: it’s us. New research shows that by 2050, more than 70 percent of watersheds around the world will experience water scarcity driven by human activity, with a negligible proportion of water scarcity attributed mainly to climate change. The Gist The paper, “Humans … Read more
I walked along a little path when suddenly the ground in front of me came alive in a whir of feathers. I reflexively jumped back as 20 California quail flushed before me. They flew rapidly away for a short distance, then set their wings as they glided into a patch of grass. Just as they … Read more
For years the idea that nature and tourism are linked has been kept largely—and unhelpfully— confined to a series of studies on wildlife watching or scuba diving and filed under the heading: “nature-based tourism.” But that doesn’t come close to telling the whole story of how closely tourism is actually tied to nature, especially in … Read more
The ongoing transformation of the U.S.’s energy systems—from a centralized system of fossil fuel plants to a distributed one with large- and small-scale renewable energy projects—creates a compelling opportunity to build the energy infrastructure of the future in partnership with local and historically excluded communities. The Gist The study, Empowering Communities with Solar, led by … Read more
This story is part of a series designed to introduce the perspectives of alumni from the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy’s global youth externship program. Each guest author is an emerging leader in conservation and storytelling. Cozumel, Mexico is a small island on the Eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula with a total … Read more
Published in Marine Policy, a new paper from TNC staff and partners provides the first national review of the structure and function of community fisheries trusts in the U.S., as well as one of the first examples of guidance for the development and operation of such trusts in new geographies and fisheries. The Gist Fisheries … Read more
Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez has a new favorite flower in her South Florida garden. She’s looking at it as she explains her research process for the dissertation she recently defended at Florida International University in Miami. She describes the bold blooms with something close to awe. “I have gravitated toward the golden ones,” says Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez, Florida … Read more
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the U.S. beef industry could be reduced by up to 30 percent with the full adoption of selected mitigation measures, especially involving management practices. The Gist Examining the beef production supply chain, researchers modeled 42 emissions-reduction practices, including cover crops, variable irrigation, raising livestock and meat processing. Published in Nature … Read more
“Trapping small mammals is a lot like fishing,” says Mike Schrad, bending down to pick up a small, metal box tucked beneath the grass. “Some days you catch a lot, and some days you don’t catch anything.” We’re standing in a patch of remnant sandhill prairie, and the morning dew is seeping through my hiking … Read more