Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds

My latest for @mongabay.com looks where we might find space to CO2 drawn from the atmosphere -- and where it might be too risky. Global CO2 storage capacity may be drastically overstated, study finds buff.ly/TQy2MNO

My second article on active forest management for @mongabay.com digs deeper into the science around fires and forests, the legacies of logging and fire exclusion and differing conclusions about a way forward. Old forests, new fires, and a scientific standoff over active management

Here's the first article of two looking at the diverging views on what humans' role in managing forests should be, and how we can coexist with fire in a warming world. For @mongabay.com. Fixing forests or fueling fires? Scientists split over active management

My latest piece for @mongabay.com looks at the future of beef production and whether regenerative grazing can limit the industry's environmental impacts.

Wildfires have gotten worse in the western U.S., and around the world. That’s driven a push to use tools like thinning and controlled burns to reduce risk and restore natural fire patterns. But some scientists warn that too much intervention can harm ecosystems, especially old-growth forests.

There’s a third species of manta ray gracefully gliding through the seas, a recent study has confirmed. Researchers have named the newly described species, found in the western Atlantic, Mobula yarae after Yara, a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology.

I covered a study for @mongabay.com looking into why deforestation has slowed in Indonesia and the Brazilian Amazon. The researchers found that strong political will played a big role and is often driven by public pressure and international diplomacy. buff.ly/IZPSnBN

BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...

The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining. Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems. Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social ‬for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8

TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...

@mongabay.com has also revealed that key figures behind TMC—including former Nautilus execs—are now leading a new Texas-based venture: American Metal. Formed in 2025, it’s promising “sustainable” deep-sea mining for the U.S. market. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...

Banks bet big on fossil fuels, boosting financing in 2024, report finds - @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/bank...

"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com‬ with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :

"All told, it’s an unprecedented assault on humanity’s understanding of how global warming is transforming the planet."

PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project - @elizabethalberts.bsky.social @john-cannon.bsky.social @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...

Communities in Papua New Guinea are worried about the dumping of mining waste into the Huon Gulf using a method called deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) from the Wafi-Golpu copper and gold mine. Read more about their legal battle at mbskymongabay.bsky.social‬.

Vulnerable populations, including refugees, migrants and the poor, increasingly face threats related to climate change, but lack the ability to move. I covered a recent study for mongabay.bsky.social‬ looking at involuntary immobility in the face of climate change: https://tinyurl.com/2anflup3

Heartbreaking news: www.scidev.net/global/news/... I was lucky enough to work with Ochieng', though only for a few months. Wish I'd had the chance to know him better. I've known of him and his contributions to science journalism for decades, of course. My condolences to his family.

ICJ judges are now weighing what legal responsibility looks like for climate change after 100 governments presented their positions in a case led by Vanuatu Me for @aljazeera.com www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

Always cool when papers published at top journals cite @mongabay.bsky.social reports re: #deepseamining this new one in PLOS cites two 👍 "Through qualitative data & fuzzy cognitive mapping, the analysis reveals that environmental factors are the most influential, followed by social & economic..."

A look at the (pre-)historical underpinnings of the superlative biodiversity found in Papua New Guinea's Torricelli Mountains, as well as the threats species there face and the moves to protect them, @mongabay.bsky.social: news.mongabay.com/2025/03/pngs...

A look at the (pre-)historical underpinnings of the superlative biodiversity found in Papua New Guinea's Torricelli Mountains, as well as the threats species their face and the moves to protect them, in @mongabay.bsky.social: news.mongabay.com/2025/03/pngs...

My latest for mongabay.bsky.social‬#EUDRDR compliance costs to be minimal, report finds — but industry disagrees https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/eudr-compliance-costs-to-be-minimal-report-finds-but-industry-disagrees/

Impact of nonprofit #journalism 💯 In Borneo, @mongabay.bsky.social reporter @john-cannon.bsky.social exposed a secret carbon offset deal btw state gov't & investors Indigenous & local communities would've lost rights to 5 million acres of their rainforest After his report aired, the deal died:

"The draining of peatlands to produce global commodities like palm oil (underway in Indonesia for decades) could soon threaten peatlands in the Amazon Basin and Congo Basin." @john-cannon.bsky.social @adamhastie.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/02/only...

Peatlands are a prime target for more conservation. They hold enormous amounts of carbon, and yet only 17% of them are protected, according to a recent study. Read more from @mongabay.bsky.social‬:

Ending the violence in the eastern DRC will take more than the regulation of minerals, experts say. Read more on @mongabay.bsky.social‬:

What if society's focus shifted from economic growth to human well-being within the boundaries of what Earth can provide? A team of researchers tackled that question in a new review from the Lancet Planetary Health, and I spoke with the lead author for mongabay.bsky.social‬:

New research assesses in detail the contributions of wildlife to people. Humanity relies on an array of ecosystem services for well-being and survival, but the provision of these services rely not just on vegetation but also the wild animals that inhabit the ecosystems. ✒️ @john-cannon.bsky.social:

After more than five years of reporting from Cambodia, my time there has been cut short arbitrarily. Immensely grateful to all who helped me and I'm proud of the work myself and my colleagues did for @mongabay.bsky.social and others. Heartbroken to leave behind the country that had become home.

On Jan 5, @geraldrflynn.bsky.social arrived at Cambodian immigration after a short trip to Thailand—only to be denied entry, blacklisted & deported. @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/02/camb...

A new study looks at going beyond nature's contributions to people to understand what wildlife add to critical ecosystem services. Turns out, animals are an important part of the equation. Read more at mongabay.bsky.social‬.

My latest piece for @mongabay.bsky.social looks at maps that link extinction risk with land restoration and conversion:

Research looking at the tropics finds that natural forest regeneration is possible across massive areas that are larger than Saudi Arabia. The authors say the maps they've produced could guide a cost-effective complement to tree planting. @mongabay.bsky.social

I took a look at the far-reaching carbon credit projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a recent piece for ‪@mongabay.bsky.social‬: DRC carbon credit projects surge amid lack of regulation

My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social: Biodiversity credit approaches multiply as concerns cloud confidence

My latest piece for @mongabay.bsky.social: How the oceans fared at the COP16 biodiversity conference in Colombia

Mongabay is inviting African journalists to cover COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11–22, and share stories of resilience, adaptation, and innovation directly from their communities. Ready to share your story? Apply now: mongabay.org/call-for-pro....

How do regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) hold authority over fishing activities on the high seas, and who keeps them in check? Join Mongabay’s webinar on Nov 21 at 12 pm UTC to learn how journalists can report on these powerful entities. Sign up today: forms.gle/JeNT5czDKctg....

WildTrack, a U.S.-based nonprofit, uses footprints as a noninvasive way of identifying and tracking wildlife. The organization has developed an artificial intelligence model that can identify 17 species, including rhinos, lions, leopards and polar bears. Read more about this:

Just published on @mongabay.bsky.social: A study reveals that conserving coral reefs increases fish populations by 10%. Explore more: https://buff.ly/3BXxcEd #CoralReefs #Conservation

@mongabay.bsky.social has a call out for story ideas on #COP29 and #Africa. Read more here: mongabay.org/call-for-pro...

My latest piece for @mongabay.bsky.social: Communities worry anew as PNG revives seabed mining plans

Our @john-cannon.bsky.social broke the story of this secret, massive, 100 year carbon deal brokered on already conserved & Indigenous lands without free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) 🌎 Now the UN has cited the lack of transparency around the agreement and raises questions about lack of FPIC:

So yesterday I launched the End Climate Silence newsletter, where each week I'll raise a climate-comms issue & give researched advice on how to solve it. Relevant to you? Click, scroll down, & subscribe! Want more details? Here's a 🧵 about the first post. endclimatesilence.org

A conversation from my reporting in Papua New Guinea, now up @mongabay.bsky.social - news.mongabay.com/2024/03/png-...

@mongabay.bsky.social has a new fellowship focused on Africa. Click below to learn more! BOURSES MONGABAY AFRIQUE POUR LE JOURNALISME ENVIRONNEMENTAL – Mongabay.org buff.ly/3URf6Li

[Good news] At the Convention on Migratory Species COP-14 this weekend, Brazil's proposal to include the dorado and the piramutaba catfish in Appendix II was approved: