
By Daria Hatton MacDonald , University of Tasmania And Elizabeth Leane, University of Tasmania - The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is likely to continue in the long term.

The Ecuadorean Government Friday declared a 45-day regional state of emergency in the Amazonian provinces of Zamora Chinchipe and Napo due to severe rainfall, flooding, and landslides. These conditions have significantly impacted residents, homes, basic services, and critical infrastructure, including the road network and the nation's two main oil pipelines, the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP) and the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE).

The Falkland Islands Executive Council has approved the establishment of an Environment Trust to deliver carbon reduction, biodiversity and land recovery projects in the Falkland Islands.

According to a dam safety report released this week by Brazil's water and sanitation authority, ANA, about the 2024–25 period, 241 of these structures need priority risk management, since their managers have not complied with all the national policy requirements.

During the 5th World Circular Economy Summit and 1st International Climate Conference in Córdoba, governors from several Argentine provinces signed a landmark agreement ahead of COP30 (to be held in Brazil in 2025) to protect biodiversity, accelerate a shift to a circular economy, and ensure a fair and equitable energy transition.

Speaking at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development Monday in Seville, Spain, Uruguayan President Yamadú Orsi defended multilateralism and the 2030 Agenda as key to addressing global issues like poverty, hunger, and pollution.

A forum of Academies of Science of the BRICS bloc in Rio de Janeiro issued a declaration this week proposing the creation of a network of member countries to implement climate solutions, focusing on energy transition technologies and the development of joint artificial intelligence programs.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that she was reviewing taking legal action against SpaceX due to the environmental damage caused by debris from a Starship rocket explosion in Tamaulipas.

A new semi-aquatic rodent, named Incanomys mayopuma, was discovered near Machu Picchu in Peru’s Cusco region at 2,800 meters above sea level. This small mammal, with gray fur, vestigial ears, and hind legs adapted for aquatic life, represents both a new genus and species.

An unusual snowfall was recorded Monday in the Uruguayan departments (provinces) of Colonia, Soriano, and Maldonado. The rare event, last seen in 2021, was recorded in areas like Nueva Palmira, Agraciada, Cardona, and Cerro Catedral in Maldonado.