Use + Remix

environmental politics

Spacecraft are already bringing back small samples from asteroids and future technology will see increased payloads. : Illustration: Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

Going to the Moon and other planetary bodies in search of natural resources may alleviate critical shortages on Earth.

4 perspectives
Space mining

Mining the heavens

Going to the Moon and other planetary bodies in search of natural resources may alleviate critical shortages on Earth.

Special Report
Given the urgent need to address climate change, the imperative is not setting goals or targets, but delivering on them. : Unsplash: Harry Cunningham Unsplash Licence

To break their ‘two steps forward, one step back’ routine on climate action, the Asia-Pacific needs to start delivering on ambitious emissions targets.

State of the SDGs

What the Asia-Pacific needs to leap forward on climate action

To break their ‘two steps forward, one step back’ routine on climate action, the Asia-Pacific needs to start delivering on ambitious emissions targets.

Environment
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confronts the task of reclaiming democratic values after his predecessor’s tenure undermined democracy with regressive policies. : Palácio do Planalto (Flickr) CC BY-ND 2.0

Brazil voted out the Bolsonaro government, but its impact on institutions hasn’t gone away.

Regressive laws

Lula’s mission to restore Brazilian democracy

Brazil voted out the Bolsonaro government, but its impact on institutions hasn’t gone away.

Environment
Management consulting has finally found its climate mojo. : Markus Spiske via Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/z56L143KBvE) Unsplash Licence

As the climate crisis unfolds, the big consultancy firms are attempting to offer advice to government and the major polluters.

The consultancy conundrum

Consultants find climate crisis is good for business

Politics
Water rationing due to droughts should be expected if an El Niño hits Southeast Asia this year. : ‘Drought’ by Ivan Radic is available at https://tinyurl.com/238umdcb CC BY 2.0

The dry weather could result in prolonged droughts and haze affecting millions across the region as it did in 2015.

El Nino returns

Southeast Asia braces for more droughts and haze

Economy
There are challenges when granting legal status to entities such as the Ganges. : Ryan via Flickr CCBY2.0

Viewing nature as a commodity has long been the norm but giving it legal rights may force a change of outlook across the world.

Rights of nature

Reframing the law to recognise nature’s value

Environment
The right for nature to simply exist is self-evident. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

The idea that nature — forests, rivers, mountains — could have rights, in the same way that human rights, or corporate rights exist has been building momentum.

12 perspectives
Special Report

Rights of nature

Environment
The recognition of Mother Earth as a legal person could well invite lawsuits when a cyclone or flood cannot easily be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. : ADRA India CC BY-ND 2.0

The recognition of natural entities as living persons has generated awareness but its contribution to their legal protection remains uncertain.

Rights of nature

Could we sue Mother Earth for storm damage?

Environment
How are countries using laws to recognise and protect the rights of nature? : Michael Joiner & James Goldie, 360info. Source: Putzer et al. 2022 CC BY 4.0

Maps and charts showing the progress of laws to protect rights of nature show that countries are taking different approaches to saving ecosystems.

Rights of nature

Six charts to explain rights of nature

Environment