Atmos

Climate and Culture

Science and Nature

Science and Nature

Science and Nature

Our science and nature coverage explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world, including climate change, wildlife, conservation, and the impact of the Anthropocene. By documenting the planet’s rich biodiversity and the latest scientific discoveries, our stories marry ecology with enchanting narratives to highlight the essential roles species and ecosystems play in maintaining planetary stability and resilience.

A mother and child dressed as fruit flies sit in the grass with a large pear sculpture in the background.

A mother and child dressed as fruit flies sit in the grass with a large pear sculpture in the background.

How Gender Stereotypes Got Written Into Evolution Feminist biologists have been challenging a flawed fruit-fly experiment that helped harden Victorian stereotypes about sex.

Science & Nature Identity & Community

Several giant tortoises lie on a sandy beach on Floreana island.

Several giant tortoises lie on a sandy beach on Floreana island.

Humans Wiped Out Floreana’s Giant Galápagos Tortoises. Now They’re Bringing Them Back. Whalers and settlers decimated the island's tortoise population by the mid-1800s. Nearly 200 years later, the tortoises have returned.

Science & Nature Biodiversity

We Are One Step Closer to Understanding Whales. What Now?

We Are One Step Closer to Understanding Whales. What Now?

We Are One Step Closer to Understanding Whales. What Now? An AI model originally trained to make music can turn any sound—including human speech—into sperm whale clicks.

Science & Nature Ocean Life

Merchant Ship passing Zembra, Tunisia, 2023

Merchant Ship passing Zembra, Tunisia, 2023

Following The Longest Butterfly Migration On Earth Photographer Lucas Foglia spent years following the painted lady’s transcontinental migration.

Photography Science & Nature

A dead bird lies on a bed of flowers.

A dead bird lies on a bed of flowers.

Giving Our Bodies Back to the Earth: The Rise of Natural Burial What if your body could nourish the land long after you’re gone?

Climate Solutions Science & Nature

A pack of wolves walks through the snow.

A pack of wolves walks through the snow.

The Endangered Species Act Is Under Attack, Again A decades-long political tug-of-war has left gray wolves, and the law meant to protect them, in perpetual limbo.

The Understory Science & Nature

Two hummingbirds fly through the Costa Rica forest.

Two hummingbirds fly through the Costa Rica forest.

Daniel Shea Lenses The Winged Gardeners Keeping Our Planet Alive From bees and bats to hummingbirds and butterflies, pollinators sustain entire ecosystems.

Photography Science & Nature

Oryx run across the ORKCA landscape.

Oryx run across the ORKCA landscape.

‘The Land of Thirst’: Inside the Fight to Rewild Southern Namibia Over the last century, southern Namibia has lost 90% of its wildlife. One conservation organization is working to rewild the region.

Science & Nature Climate Solutions

Papayas grow on a tree.

Papayas grow on a tree.

The Climate Crisis Is Displacing Indigenous Peoples First Dr. Jessica Hernandez discusses her new book and how Indigenous knowledge can guide climate action that allows people to return home.

Changemakers

AI-Generated Animals Are Distancing Us From Nature

AI-Generated Animals Are Distancing Us From Nature

AI-Generated Animals Are Distancing Us From Nature Cuddly polar bears and hyperrealistic chimeras may seem harmless on social media, but experts worry AI animal content can be harmful.

Science & Nature

A creek flows through a forest.

A creek flows through a forest.

Protecting Ecosystems of the Future Before They Exist Inside the curious movement to safeguard the climate-changed habitats that will follow melting ice.

Science & Nature

A black cat sits in front of window showing a storm brewing outside.

A black cat sits in front of window showing a storm brewing outside.

101: How to Prep Your Pet for a Disaster Expert advice to protect you and your pets from the next climate disaster.

101 Science & Nature

A multicolored leaf

A multicolored leaf

‘We Are Part of Nature’: Inside the Rise of Hikrodosing Atmos joins a mushroom-infused microdose hike for an afternoon of psychedelics, reconnection with nature, and crystal harps.

Science & Nature Well Being

Flies cover an illustration of a human body.

Flies cover an illustration of a human body.

How To Be a Better Parasite Lessons on living sustainably from nature’s most exploitative species.

Science & Nature

When the World Stops Smelling Like Itself

When the World Stops Smelling Like Itself

When the World Stops Smelling Like Itself Climate change is erasing the aromas of daily life. Farmers say the loss is already here—from Grenada’s cocoa to Egypt’s jasmine—and affecting relationships between all living things.

Science & Nature Anthropocene

A man stands among dry grass in front of a white house getting sprayed in the face with a hose.

A man stands among dry grass in front of a white house getting sprayed in the face with a hose.

New Study Links 174 Companies to Deadly Heat Waves A first-of-its-kind study directly ties corporate emissions from oil, gas, and coal producers to rising heat waves worldwide.

Science & Nature Anthropocene