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National Geographic

HERE ARE KEY WINS
FOR THE PLANET

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

In today’s newsletter, we celebrate 6 reasons to be optimistic for the planet's future, learn what to do if you bump into a bear, inspect a mind-controlling parasite found in humans … and discover a global cryptid-chasing industry.

A painting of a ship stuck in ice

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSH HUMBERT, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

In one year, we’ve seen cheering changes that can help Earth’s battle against climate change. A historic investment. Hacking into the tech power of plants. Cracking down on plastic waste.

As eight billion people now share the Earth, they face a planet where, as Nat Geo’s Sarah Gibbens reports, “hope is not lost.” This past year has been monumental—and 2023 offers horizons to improve other vital issues, like our drinking water.

Read the full story here.

Please consider getting our full digital report and magazine by subscribing here.

Plants are growing on trays stored on shelves several stories tall.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCA LOCATELLI, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Reusing plastic for food: A man pictured above works to grow baby leafy greens on a reusable substrate made from recycled plastic bottles. Vertical farms like these help producers grow more fresh food. Pictured at top, a scuba diver swims beneath a school of horse-eye jack fish in a nature preserve off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. New research shows such preserves benefit animals—and humans. Read more.

STORIES WE'RE FOLLOWING

A microscopic picture of a round parasite

PHOTOGRAPH BY SCIENCE HISTORY IMAGES, ALAMY

This parasite (above) lives in one in every three people—and can manipulate minds

Why we’ll be seeing more rainbows

Sharks win key protections at the world wildlife summit

What happened to North America’s first big cities?

From thousands of photos: Our 21 favorite animal pics of 2022

Next year's schedule of celestial wonders

Why there is no scientific basis for race

Nessie and the Yeti birthed a global cryptid-chasing industry

Scientists are trying to resurrect mostly dead organs—here’s why

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A picture of people watching a volcanic eruption in Iceland

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS BURKARD, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Your next journey: The pandemic and climate change are shaping the future of travel—but from where our photographers stand, it's exciting as ever. And, a little more thoughtful. In 2022, Nat Geo photographers witnessed innovative conservation, vibrant communities, and underappreciated destinations around the world (like Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano, above). See our favorite travel pictures of the year here.

Related: How to see volcanoes safely.

2022’S BEST TRAVEL PICS

OVERHEARD AT NAT GEO

A picture of a bear on a house porch.

PHOTOGRAPH BY COREY ARNOLD

There’s a bear in my backyard: Nat Geo Explorer and wildlife ecologist Rae Wynn-Grant ended up going viral on Instagram when she was seen cuddling with bear cubs. The first time she’d seen a bear, it had been tranquilized. She told our Overheard podcast that she “held its hand and, you know, listened to its heartbeat and looked in its eyes and brushed its little teeth.” The experience, she says, changed her view on bears—though she understands the danger of bears, particularly those becoming accustomed to humans (pictured above).

LAST GLIMPSE

A painting of men carrying goods in front of a town with a large cathedral

ALBUM

Prestige and power: During the gothic cathedral craze in medieval Europe, builders corralled immense wealth and talent to erect gravity-defying spires and buttresses—often over the course of hundreds of years. The story of how these cathedrals were constructed reveals secrets of medieval society and the risks they were willing to take, Nat Geo reports.

TO RAISE A CATHEDRAL

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Sydney Combs, and David Beard. Have an idea or a link? We'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for reading.

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