Unreported world

Writing this sat at home, rather than my usual spot in the office, it’s impossible not to reflect on the strange times we’re living through. You will only find a few mentions of the coronavirus in these pages – commenting on such a fastmoving situation is not the preserve of a monthly magazine – though please do take a look at our website for plenty of relevant material, expert opinions, and free, online resources for students and teachers.

Instead, we focus this month on some of the equally crucial but understandably under-reported stories affecting the planet. The response to the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates that it is possible for governments all around the world to take unprecedented steps to protect their citizens. Can the same thing be done to protect the 800 million people vulnerable to rising seas? On page 28, Lucy Kehoe finds out what steps are currently being taken and asks what more needs to be done.

Many people have suggested that the international nature of the current crisis represents a chance to renew vigour and determination when it comes to the climate. Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day, is one person hoping for a huge mobilisation of resources. Fifty years old this year, the mass environmental movement due to take place on 7 April will now be a digital one, but its creators are not dampened in their resolve to push the climate agenda. On page 36, Nic Davis looks back at the movement, speaks to its founder, and examines what it might achieve today.

Finally, we tackle a particularly thorny topic in this month’s dossier, with one question at its heart – can hunting be justified if it pays for wider conservation measures? Sure to raise some strong opinions, it shows that in a world dominated by humans, allowing nature to thrive is an extremely complex proposition.