Oceans

Inside a Georgia beach’s high-tech fight against erosion

Armed with drones and lasers, scientists are creating detailed 3D maps of Tybee Island’s shifting shoreline.

Emily Jones Science

The International Seabed Authority’s war with itself

As the U.N. body faces an American threat to its jurisdiction over deep-sea mining, diplomats have more or less left all the important questions unanswered.

Gautama Mehta Oceans

The tiny ocean organisms that could help the climate in a big way

Scientists are exploring whether encouraging the growth of phytoplankton could draw down more atmospheric carbon — without unintended side effects in oceanic ecosystems.

Matt Simon Climate

People hold signs protesting plastic pollution. A woman in center has a sign reading "pongan fin a la contaminación plástica"

Plastic pollution is toxic and everywhere. Now, legal experts say it’s a human rights violation.

This week, they’re advocating for a U.N. treaty to safeguard people’s basic rights.

Joseph Winters Equity

Tracking sea turtles is a long, slow process that just might keep them alive

This summer’s hatchlings won’t be back on land for 30 years. It’ll take at least that long to know how global warming is changing them.

Emily Jones Oceans

The main recharge Dyke for the Coachella Valley on August 10, 2009, in Coachella Valley, California. This dyke serves to maintain the Aquifer upon which Coachella depends, adding water to it protects the water source and protects the surrounding infrastructure from possible subsidence.

Groundwater is drying out, heating up, and causing sea level rise

Overuse has created zones of “mega-drying” around the world — and caused more sea level rise than Greenland’s ice sheet.

Rebecca Egan McCarthy Science

a man crouches on a rock in front of pieces of a glacier, which are drifting out to sea

When will a vital system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean collapse? Depends on whom you ask.

New research suggests the currents that help shape the climate may be weakening more slowly than thought.

Rebecca Egan McCarthy Oceans

The weird way that penguin poop might be cooling Antarctica

Scientists find that ammonia wafting from all that guano kicks off an atmospheric chain reaction.

Matt Simon Science

Coral on Moore Reef is visible in Gunggandji Sea Country off coast of Queensland in eastern Australia on Nov. 13, 2022.

Despite global opposition, Trump just fast-tracked deep-sea mining

The move opens the door for companies tired of waiting for permission to scrape the ocean floor.

Anita Hofschneider Global Indigenous Affairs Desk

The deep-sea mining industry got tired of waiting for international approval. Enter Trump.

Inside the little-understood fight between deep sea miners and Indigenous advocates for the ocean.