poetry and science

A polluted section of the Huron River shoreline in Michigan, where foamy, discoloured water swirls around fallen tree trunks and debris. A slick, pale layer of contamination floats on the water's surface, contrasting with the dark, reflective river. Green leaves sprout from the foreground, juxtaposing natural growth with visible pollution.

Leavings

PFAS are persistent chemical pollutants, but bacteria can help degrade them over time.

This image shows a map of the Arctic region highlighting ground temperature trends from 2000 to 2019. Areas with significant permafrost thaw are marked in shades of red, while cooler areas are in blue. The map includes various Arctic settlements and administrative boundaries, providing a detailed visual representation of the changing permafrost landscape.

Frost’s Defeat

Arctic permafrost thaw endangers communities, ecosystems, and infrastructures, necessitating adaptive strategies and policies.

A schematic representation of an owl hunting a rodent at night, illustrating the interplay of radiometric quantities affecting camouflage. The owl's white underparts reflect light, while the diagram shows arrows representing light from the moonlit sky, ground reflectance, and other radiometric factors, demonstrating how the owl blends into the background. The rodent, depicted below the owl, observes the scene. Various mathematical symbols label radiometric quantities, including sky radiance, ground reflectance, and light interactions.

Beneath the Hunter’s Gaze

Barn owls’ white plumage camouflages them against moonlit skies, enabling stealthy hunting by blending into their background and avoiding detection.

A serene sunset over a calm body of water, with the golden-orange glow of the sun illuminating the surface. Silhouetted mountains form a jagged horizon in the distance, and a small boat drifts peacefully across the water. The scene evokes a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty.

Burning Seas

Ocean temperatures in 2024 reached record highs, signalling escalating global warming, with severe consequences for weather, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.

A vast, turbulent expanse of the Southern Ocean, with deep blue waves crested by white foam, under a grey, misty sky that blends with the horizon.

Tangled Currents

Microplastics are endangering the Southern Ocean’s ecosystem.

Small Debris on the Ground Beside Curiosity: This image from the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows a small bright object on the ground beside the rover at the "Rocknest" site (Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS).

The Bones of Mars

Mars exploration has created an archaeological record, with researchers advocating to preserve humanity’s cultural and technological legacy.

A traffic jam in Mumbai. There are lots of cars and pollution.

Shrouds of Ash

India’s air pollution causes millions of deaths, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and interventions.

Photograph of a boreal forest in late winter, featuring tall evergreen trees dusted with snow. The ground is blanketed in unbroken white snow, while the trees reach upwards under a clear blue sky. Soft shadows stretch across the snow, creating a serene and crisp winter scene

Drunken Forests

Boreal forests face warming risks as unstable permafrost reduces tree growth, limiting carbon storage.

Photograph of ancient fossilized footprints embedded in a flat, cracked limestone surface. The footprints are faint but visible, surrounded by shallow pools of water and patches of green algae. The scene is located near a coastal area with the ocean in the background and a few people visible in the distance for scale.

Footprints in Deep Time

Footprints reveal two ancient human species coexisted in Kenya, sharing lakeside environments 1.5 million years ago.

A pre-Raphaelite-inspired painting of maritime glaciers in southern Patagonia. The artwork depicts majestic, towering ice formations with intricate details, set against a serene turquoise sea. In the background, dramatic mountain peaks rise under soft, ethereal light. The composition emphasises rich, natural hues and textures, showcasing the pristine beauty and grandeur of untouched nature. The scene evokes a sense of stillness and awe, with subtle reflections on the water enhancing the realism.

Shifting Horizons

Whilst rising temperatures threaten glaciers, increased precipitation could stabilise them if emissions are significantly reduced.