Earlier this year the media made much ado about drought conditions constraining traffic through the Panama Canal. But is it really all they’re making it out to be?

The most recent drought conditions started with below-average rainfall in late 2022, and by January 2024 were being described as the worst drought in Canal history. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) ranked 2023 as the second driest year since 1950. News articles reported cargo traffic was reduced by nearly 40% and that the world faced a $270 billion traffic jam in Panama.

July 11 is World Population Day—designated annually by the United Nations as a focused opportunity to examine population trends and their implications for society. This year, World Population Day offers a chance to reflect on the 30^th anniversary of one of the largest and arguably most influential world population conferences in history—the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Each spring, as Shenzhen’s mangroves burst into life, the region becomes a prime spot for birdwatchers observing the endangered, black-faced spoonbill. Known as the giant panda of birds, this species winters in Shenzhen Bay from October to April, in preparation for its northbound migration. Shenzhen Bay, located in southern China and part of the Pearl River Delta expanding into Hong Kong, is a crucial stop-off point for migratory birds using the East Asian-Australasian flyway. The mangroves support over 200 species of birds and host 100,000 migratory birds each winter, drawing enthusiasts and scientists alike to witness these natural spectacles against the backdrop of one of China’s most bustling urban settings.

Mildred is a fish trader in Kenya. I met her a few years ago, when I was conducting research. (“Mildred” is not her real name; I promised all my participants anonymity as I worked.) She mentors, trains, and educates young women on how to dry, gut, fry fish, and run successful fish businesses.  

LGBTIQ+ organizations and activists increasingly speak of “queering” systems such as global climate action, global refugee systems, or humanitarian response. Sometimes, this is a rhetorical reboot of existing strategies for increasing inclusion, with ‘queer’ used as a reclaimed shorthand for LGBTIQ+ people. The process of tweaking existing social and economic systems to address climate change and security threats should also certainly ensure the inclusion of LGBTQI+ people.

Environmental shocks have been linked to significant changes in human migration around the world. Yet the large literature on environmental change and migration to date has primarily focused on working-age adults, working largely on the assumption that climatic impacts are most likely to influence labor migration.

In an era where water scarcity and disputes over water rights increasingly shape global politics, understanding the nexus between water and peace is more critical than ever. Recent events such as the border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, or continued tensions between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over the Nile River’s usage, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address both the hydrological and social dimensions of water management.

Land is crucial to people’s livelihoods, health and wellbeing, culture and identity. So disputes over access to or use of land are a prominent feature in many conflicts. The Environmental Justice Atlas finds that land is at the root of conflict dynamics in approximately a third of environmentally-driven cases recorded. And because land is increasingly under threat—20-40% of global land area is degraded—the risk of conflict is increasing.