Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Russian sanctions backfire as Putin profits from war economy

Russian sanctions backfire as Putin profits from war economy

6 minutes

Designed to topple a regime, sanctions have helped build a fortress economy where loyalty is rewarded and dissent crushed – consolidating Putin’s power.Antonio Graceffo reports When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Western leaders believed sweeping US and EU sanctions would cripple Moscow’s economy and hasten the war’s end. The assumption was that President Putin would soon … [Read more...] about Russian sanctions backfire as Putin profits from war economy

Better World Video Awards 2025 – Limbo

2 minutes

A powerful account of one couple’s struggle to rebuild after catastrophic flooding and the silence that followed 'Limbo', created by Erika Lau, is a short mixed-media documentary that captures the experience of a couple rebuilding their lives after an unimaginable flood in 2023 in Derbyshire, UK. Set within a neighbourhood repeatedly affected by flooding, the short film … [Read more...] about Better World Video Awards 2025 – Limbo

The four countries successfully reversing democratic decline

5 minutes

Discover more about the four nations who are successfully returning to democracy, and how exactly their governments have done so For countries, democracy is often a pivotal cornerstone for stability, security – and above all, success. In a survey conducted by Council of Europe, 80 per cent of respondents said that autocratic countries have a higher risk of war. … [Read more...] about The four countries successfully reversing democratic decline

Desert dust triggers clouds to freeze, study finds

3 minutes

Mechanism is vital in influencing how much sunlight clouds reflect – and whether or not they produce rain or snow Thousands of kilometres above us, clouds are quietly forming. From fluffy, cotton-wool cumulonimbus clouds to wispy cirrocumulus clouds, there are many types found in skies across the world. Enjoying this article? Check out our related … [Read more...] about Desert dust triggers clouds to freeze, study finds

Geo explainer: What is blue carbon – and why is it so important?

5 minutes

Find out more about blue carbon, why it is vital for the planet and how it can slow down the rate of climate change across the world We've all heard of carbon – the fundamental building block of all human, animal and plant life. Greenhouse gases, such as methane or CO2, also contain an abundance of the chemical element. Enjoying this article? Check out our related … [Read more...] about Geo explainer: What is blue carbon – and why is it so important?