From the challenges of a green transition to Syria after Assad, get your copy of Geographical’s July issue for the latest stories from around the world, out now…
In our July issue: Leon McCarron returns to Syria after the fall of Assad to see how they country’s rich heritage has survived years of civil war; Stuart Butler reports on the mausoleums and communities that are being destroyed in the rush to modernise Cairo; and how Utah’s vast desert skies and pioneering conservation efforts have made it a hub for stargazers.
Marine biologist and writer Helen Scales, author of The Brilliant Abyss, has turned her attention to marine-inspired art and how humans have captured ocean life across the ages – we reveal a selection of image from her new book, Ocean Art. Looking for your next read? Our book reviews are sure to pique your interest – from a human history of the Sahara to the fight for climate justice.
Our columnists help you stay on top of the world: Marco Magrini reflects on the intertwined crises facing our planet; Tim Marshall argues it’s time to take lessons from Finland; and Andrew Brooks looks at how outdated labels still frame women’s work and men’s status around the globe.
Our digital edition is out now, and you can not only read all the great stories in that issue, but our app also gives you access to our full archive dating back to 1935 with hundreds of magazines to explore. And if you want to enjoy our beautifully designed and produced print magazine, we can post the next edition to you anywhere in the world. Join us and stay on top of the world!
The global burden of the world’s military
Military spending represents the portion of a nation’s wealth – its GDP – that funds its armed forces. This vast allocation pays for everything from troop salaries to advanced weaponry and crucial research, directly influencing a nation’s global standing. The scale of this spending varies dramatically from country to country. For those like Ukraine, where conflict is ongoing, military spending can consume a sizeable portion of their GDP. At the same time, high military spending often redirects vital resources from public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, potentially limiting a nation’s future prosperity – a steep price to pay.
In search of starry skies
Astrotourism, the pursuit of clear and starry night skies, is a growing trend in the travel industry., in part due to the severe light pollution that can now be found across much of the populated world. As such, areas with exceptionally dark skies are becoming increasingly attractive to travellers hoping to witness wonders like the Milky Way or the Northern Lights. Places like Chile’s Atacama Desert, New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and vast desert regions in the American Southwest.
For dark sky communities, especially those in remote rural areas, this new type of tourism can provide a strong, stable economic boost, creating local jobs and supporting businesses like lodging and guided tours – especially in the off-peak travel seasons. Astrotourism is also encouraging local efforts to reduce light pollution, protecting wildlife and ecosystems that rely on natural darkness.
A complex path forward
Should India’s rapid economic growth be a cause for alarm among those fighting climate change, or a reason to hope for a greener future? It’s easy to draw comparisons to China’s past industrial expansion, which might trigger concern. However, India’s current industrial development is taking place decades later, at a time when renewable energy technologies are rapidly improving and becoming far more affordable and accessible. As Mark Rowe reports, this presents India with a clear chance to pursue a fundamentally different development model.
The challenge is significant: India aims to lift millions out of poverty through economic growth while also transitioning to a sustainable, green future. As climate change impacts become more apparent globally, India’s large renewable resources and its scale of development could actually speed up global green transitions by driving innovation and market demand. Its success in this balance is not just important for India; it is critical for the entire world’s sustainable future.
Confronting nuclear threat
According to Patrick Brown, campaigns and operations director at Equal Right (a global climate and economic justice organisation), we urgently need a Global Climate Club that brings together countries serious about climate action. And there’s no time to wait for the USA. In this month’s column, Brown reveals how such an idea can be more than just a utopian fantasy.
