Science and Environment
The Science and Environment Section of IR Insider publishes breaking news reports and analyses regarding global scientific and environmental developments and their broader social, political, and economic implications. Topics covered in the Science and Environment Section may include space programs, climate change, energy and conservation, pollution, endangered species, and beyond. Our section editor is Adela Vela.
COP28 Looms: Global Climate Challenges and Funding Dilemmas Take Center Stage in Dubai Talks
On Oct. 25, Hurricane Otis struck the city of Acapulco on the Pacific coast of Mexico, leaving the country with landslides, flooding, and devastation, becoming the second-strongest storm in Mexico's history.
Mexico Lies In The Eye of The Storm After Hurricane Otis Struck The Nation
On Oct. 25, Hurricane Otis struck the city of Acapulco on the Pacific coast of Mexico, leaving the country with landslides, flooding, and devastation, becoming the second-strongest storm in Mexico's history.
Following Consecutive Earthquakes, Afghanistan is Becoming The Epicenter of Epicenters
This Wednesday, a third earthquake struck northwestern Afghanistan, a mere days after two powerful tremors resulted in over 4,000 deaths and injuries. All three earthquakes reached a magnitude of 6.3, resulting in the declaration of a state of emergency by the Taliban Administration.
The Resurgence of Fossil Fuels: Oil Demand Has Surged in Recent Months
President Biden's approval of an $8 billion oil drilling project, which contradicted a campaign trail promise, is not an isolated incident.
![[Op-Ed] Why Rainy Seasons Don't Mean the End of a Drought](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1681102137996-XYFYIQ4PXTA5H0AFOELE/Screen+Shot+2023-04-10+at+12.45.48+AM.png)
[Op-Ed] Why Rainy Seasons Don't Mean the End of a Drought
This season in California has experienced an unusually wet winter following the driest three years on record.
The Collapse of Antarctic Currents and What This Means for Our Climate’s Future
Scientists in Australia are predicting deep water flows that drive ocean currents to decline by 40% by 2050, creating major changes in the future of the earth’s climate.
New Zealand Faces Difficult Decisions in the Aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle
New Zealand declared its third-ever state of emergency on Feb. 14, as it was hit by the worst storm of the century.
A Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough: What This Means for Science and Climate
This Tuesday, scientists in California announced a significant breakthrough in producing nuclear fusion energy.
![[Op-Ed] Proposed Carbon Trading Systems Continue to Hinder Climate Change Mitigation Efforts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1670643997283-OEDS9EKKVRK37L7WZEQR/S1-vb-pJfp1XYstKv6HfqVhc-W3YZ0SrMw6ub4Oeyi2C81Wyl2q83xGA0jkW3e4_qP0PKcNfflgo1OPLa6rsQGqJyaZmcfQ9lBzXyWUoW5V85jR1hKBhe4h70BHb.jpg)
[Op-Ed] Proposed Carbon Trading Systems Continue to Hinder Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
On Dec. 7, the World Bank announced a global tracking system to monitor carbon trading markets and improve transparency.
![[Op-Ed] What COP27 Got Right and What it Got Wrong](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1669902608030-YDRVRC8SM4Z93VFENJ1D/Screen+Shot+2022-12-01+at+8.49.19+AM.png)
[Op-Ed] What COP27 Got Right and What it Got Wrong
From Nov. 6 to Nov. 20, world leaders and delegates convened for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Party, hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
![[Op-Ed] Rishi Sunak’s Environmental Track Record is Confusing and Dangerous](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1667445796413-F27AYFA5QVG0Y2AH92FD/Screen+Shot+2022-11-02+at+11.22.53+PM.png)
[Op-Ed] Rishi Sunak’s Environmental Track Record is Confusing and Dangerous
Following Liz Truss’ disastrous budget collapse and subsequent resignation, Rishi Sunak is set to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the head of the Conservative Party.
Human Rights Crisis in Egypt Ahead of COP27
COP27, scheduled to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November, is facing scrutiny for the region’s failure to address the recent human rights crisis and its implications in the upcoming climate negotiations.
What Brazil’s Election Could Mean for Environmental Cooperation
Brazilian citizens took to the polls on Oct. 2 to vote for a president, but as no candidate earned more than 50 percent of the vote, the election will have a run-off in late October.