Home | Atmos

Volume 11: Micro/Macro

Our universe is an endless series of worlds within worlds. This issue looks at patterns, systems, and size with stories that examine local and global theories of change, the scalability of solutions, invisible lifeforms and giant megafauna, and the role of micro actors in shaping macro systems.

Shop

Close-up of a white praying mantis perched near a human eye with glitter, featured on the cover of Atmos magazine, Volume 8, titled

Cover of Atmos magazine featuring a heart-shaped nebula against a star-filled space background. The text reads Atmos, MICRO/MACRO, and a quote about reclaiming the night sky is at the bottom.

A woman in a yellow dress gently embraces a child outdoors, both with eyes closed, conveying comfort and warmth. The image is featured on the cover of Atmos magazine, with trees blurred in the background.

A group of sperm whales swim gracefully underwater in deep blue ocean. The magazine cover reads Atmos, with the theme Micro/Macro and a quote about the ocean’s wonder and stewardship at the bottom.

A winding river cuts through steep canyon walls under a clear sky, featured on the cover of Atmos magazine Volume 11, titled

A tranquil lake with old wooden posts, rocky shore, and a misty, lenticular cloud-capped mountain in the background at dusk; the scene is featured on the cover of Atmos magazine, Volume 11, titled Micro/Macro.

A person holds a large seashell against their bare torso underwater, with sunlight creating ripples and reflections. The cover text reads Atmos: Climate and Culture, Micro/Macro, Volume 11, 2023.

Cover of Atmos magazine, Volume 11, showing stones casting long shadows on a wooden surface with the words MICRO/MACRO at the center. Issue theme focuses on climate and culture, dated 2023.

Shop

Sierra Club’s New Leader on Why the Organization’s Mission Has Never Mattered More A revelatory conversation with Loren Blackford exposes the dependencies between environmental work and a functioning democracy.

The Long View Changemakers

Congress Once Shielded Gun Makers. Now It’s Fossil Fuel Companies’ Turn. A new federal bill could halt climate lawsuits against Big Oil.

The Understory Democracy

Michael Pollan: AI Will Never Have The Sentience Of Animals The science writer explores the widening recognition of animal and plant consciousness—and the growing push to extend the idea to machines.

Changemakers Science & Nature

An image of an eye inside of a hollow egg shell.

Processual Biology: You Aren’t a Being, You’re a Process This week’s Overview explores processual biology’s compelling idea: that we are not static beings, but transformation given shape.

The Overview Deep Ecology

Podcast Episode 3

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: Stop Doom-Scrolling, Start Building the Future

Urban Ocean Labs' co-founder explores climate optimism, systemic change, and the power of solutions-driven storytelling. Read More

A Green Manifesto For Future Generations Atmos marks Earth Day with Silvana Travele and Bonnie Wright in a short film confronting the rollback of climate safeguards.

Climate Solutions Changemakers

Earth Day in an American Era of Scientific Retreat A war on science means fewer environmental protections and a serious case of “brain drain.”

The Understory Democracy

Plant Baby Plant: Inside Robin Wall Kimmerer’s New Movement At community “Blooms” around the country, the botanist and writer is cultivating a gift economy rooted in care.

Changemakers Climate Solutions

In Senegal, Castoff Clothing Finds New Life Creatives Juanita Richards and Shandi Alexander channel the spirit of Kumpo through castaway clothing and Indigenous textiles.

Identity & Community Ethical Fashion

The BIOME

Join our membership community. Support our work, receive a complimentary subscription to Atmos Magazine, and more.

Support Us

Support Us

As the Crow Flies Ravens and crows carry macabre symbolism, but their behavior can teach us a lot about grief—and remind us that love and loss are universal.

The Overview Deep Ecology

How ‘National Security’ Became the New Justification for Drilling What’s happening to the public lands and oceans we thought were protected?

The Understory Democracy

Blowin’ in the Wind: How Nordic Countries Made Electricity Free As wind and hydropower flood Nordic grids, electricity prices are plunging and offering a glimpse of a cheaper energy future.

Climate Solutions

The Thin Blue Line That Shields Life From the Void A fragile veil of gas, suspended between nothing and everything, makes life on Earth possible.

The Overview Deep Ecology

The Nature Of

Hosted by Atmos Editor-in-Chief Willow Defebaugh, The Nature Of is a new podcast that looks to the natural world for insights into how to navigate the experience of being human. New episodes every Tuesday.

Listen Now