From the small ships driving big changes, to the threat of nuclear war, join us with Geographical’s June issue, out now…
In our June issue: how small, responsible ships are helping to transform the cruise industry for the better; meet the scientists carefully monitoring and measuring our impact on one of Earth’s most fragile ecosystems; and follow the Lobito Corridor, a new rail route that snakes through oil- and mineral-rich Angola, DRC and Zambia.
Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, an extract from Mark Lynas’ new book Six Minutes to Winter reflects on the threat of nuclear war, examples from the past, and how we can avoid a nuclear nightmare. Looking for your next read? Our reviews are sure to pique your interest – from the healing powers of nature to the role of China today.
Our columnists help you stay on top of the world: Marco Magrini reports on the battle for rare earth elements; while Tim Marshall examines why water is fast becoming a trigger for conflict, from South Asia to the Middle East; and Andrew Brooks reflects on the concept of a ‘business ecosystem’ which, while good for profit, may not be a benefit for us all.
Families across the Navajo Nation in the USA are searching for justice amid a growing crisis of disappearances, stalled investigations, and a system that too often looks the other way. Join photojournalist Wayan Barre as he travels to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to meet the Indigenous families searching for missing friends and relatives.
After embarking on a five-year journey to walk the entire coast of mainland Britain, photographer Quintin Lake reveals the remarkable and often surprising beauty of the liminal spaces between land and sea.
And as Vietnam announces plans to launch a new golden visa programme, take a look at some of the most expensive, and some of the most popular, citizenship-by-investment schemes around the world.
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!
Guardians of the glacier
While West Antarctica’s Union Glacier hasn’t yet seen the dramatic ice shelf losses of the Antarctic Peninsula (25,000 km² and counting), scientists at the isolated Union Glacier Joint Scientific Polar Station remain watchful. Despite the constant deep freeze, even in summer, they’re careful to monitor for any signs that the warming from the coast is starting to reach this pristine interior.
Life on the glacier quickly proves to be a unique experience for James Witlow Delano when he joins a group of Chilean scientists at their tented camp, where summer daytime temperatures rarely climb above a frigid -10°C. Sheltered by towering mountains and bathed in constant sunlight, however, these canvas dwellings offer a surprising degree of warmth and comfort for the team as they conduct their crucial research into the future of the frozen continent.
China’s economic challenge
American economist Antonio Graceffo turns his insightful gaze towards the intricate challenges facing China’s economic trajectory. Once a beacon of unprecedented expansion, the People’s Republic now navigates the headwinds of a rapidly ageing population and alarmingly low birth rates, while a mountain of debt casts a long shadow. The era of breakneck growth appears to be drawing to a close, leaving China at a critical juncture. Given all that, questions Graceffo, can China withstand another trade war?
The future of tourism
Global tourism has reached a breaking point. In cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, residents have staged protests against the sheer volume of visitors, citing rising rents, noise pollution, and the erosion of local culture. Meanwhile in fragile ecosystems, from the coral reefs of Southeast Asia to the ancient sites of Machu Picchu, the sheer number of tourists is causing irreparable damage. While the global pandemic offered a moment for reflection, with widespread discussions in the tourism sector about ‘building back better’, in many areas this vision has failed to materialise.
Yet, glimmers of hope exist. Responsible small ship cruise lines, for instance, are demonstrating a different path. By limiting passenger numbers, investing in advanced waste treatment and energy-efficient technologies, and focusing on immersive, locally-beneficial experiences, they significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute more positively to the destinations they visit. We speak to some of the leading small-ship operators who are proving that a more sustainable and equitable model of tourism is indeed possible.
The race for resources
Embark on a 1300-kilometre rail journey from Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo with photojournalist Tommy Trenchard, as he ventures into the intricate and often opaque landscape surrounding a multi-billion dollar initiative spearheaded by the EU and the US. The objective: to revitalise the long-neglected Lobito Atlantic Railway and challenge China’s dominance of critical minerals in Africa.
Confronting nuclear threat
Mark Lynas’ Six Minutes to Winter plunges us into the chilling reality of nuclear war, a threat far more immediate and devastating than many realise. Drawing on stark scientific evidence and gripping scenarios, he paints an unflinching picture of global famine and societal collapse, leaving virtually no refuge. More than just a terrifying prognosis, Six Minutes to Winter is a wake-up call. Lynas argues that while climate change looms over decades, nuclear war could obliterate civilization in mere hours.
Despite the grim subject matter, Lynas’ writing offers more than just a descent into bleakness. Drawing parallels with the climate movement’s potential for mobilisation, he outlines pathways to de-escalation and the ultimate abolition of these catastrophic weapons. It’s an important read, one that demands we confront this existential threat before we sleepwalk into an avoidable Armageddon.
