Bryony Cottam

Bryony grew up in a small town in the West Midlands where she spent much of her time dreaming of being anywhere else. After spending time in Canada, Russia, Morocco and France, she eventually returned to the UK to pursue a career in journalism. She wrote about sustainable tourism for Responsible Travel before joining Geographical in 2021. Bryony’s covered the dugout canoe culture in Estonia; regenerative seaweed farming in Wales; ground-breaking earthquake research in Turkey; and adaptation and mitigation responses to climate change in countries around the world. She writes the weekly Geographical newsletter and co-edits the monthly podcast. 


Shipping lanes across the world

How ship traffic unlocked a methane mystery buried for over a decade

Aug 26, 2025
A new paper suggests we may be overlooking a major source of global methane emissions
Ash dieback and other tree diseases threaten net zero goals

Ash dieback and other tree diseases threaten net zero goals

Aug 21, 2025
Scientists find a hidden climate threat as a deadly disease ravages Britain’s forests, releasing millions of tonnes of carbon from the soil
An adult white-tailed eagle with a freshly caught fish, Isle of Mull, Scotland

How white-tailed eagles are making a comeback in the UK

Aug 20, 2025

Fifty years after their reintroduction, white-tailed eagles are thriving across the UK – thanks to decades of dedication, collaboration and…

Borboroglu at work in a penguin colony

Why tourism needs a conscience

Aug 8, 2025
Penguin researcher Pablo Garcia Borboroglu talks to Bryony Cottam about why ecotourism needs a conscience
A pangolin

August’s research round-up

Aug 7, 2025
Discover some fascinating scientific advancements and studies from across the globe – from research on bogong moths to pangolins
Constantino Aucca Chutas in Abra Malaga, a high mountain pass near Cusco, Peru

How Polylepis forests are reshaping the Andes

Aug 6, 2025
High in the Andes, Constantino Aucca Chutas is restoring ancient forests and water systems with the help of local communities and Incan tradition
Cedar Breaks International Dark Sky Park

Darkness falls, stars rise in Utah’s national parks

Jul 4, 2025
With more Dark Sky Places than anywhere else in the world, Utah’s high deserts are giving visitors front-row seats to the universe
Small ship cruise lines such as Swan Hellenic are taking the lead on sustainability

Can the cruise industry navigate a sustainable future?

Jun 25, 2025
The cruise industry is under scrutiny for its environmental toll – but a new wave of sustainable initiatives is charting a greener course for ocean travel.
Fabian Mdluli starting off as a wildlife cameraman

The New Voices of African Wildlife Filmmaking

Jun 23, 2025
A growing movement is empowering local voices to reshape African wildlife filmmaking
Ocean waves produce two to three times the world’s total energy needs

How to harness the waves: from halting tsunamis to clean energy

Jun 17, 2025
Scientists have discovered a way to tap into the ocean’s vast, untouched energy reserves – but should they?
Climate justice in action: 25 years of the Ashden Awards

Climate justice in action: 25 years of the Ashden Awards

Jun 12, 2025
On the 25th anniversary of the Ashden Awards for climate solutions, we look at past and present winners from around the world
Following in the footsteps of explorers: The Royal Geographical Society Collection

Following in the footsteps of explorers: The Royal Geographical Society Collection

Jun 9, 2025
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) has joined forces with Travelsphere to offer a new collection of tours
Load More