CONTENTSSeptember 2022 • Volume 94 • Issue 9

COVER STORY

26LIFEINTHEDESERT In Morocco, oases that have harboured life for centuries are under threat, mirroring a trend seen across the globe. Matteo Fagotto and Matilde Gattoni speak to the people working hard to hold back the encroaching desert.

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EROSION Several coastal regions of the British Isles are under threat from erosion, but attempting to hold back the waves is an expensive and difficult business.

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PRESERVING CULTURE IN CAMBODIA A music school for orphans is passing on traditional knowledge.

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POSTCARDS OF AFRICA A photography project challenges stereotypical images of Africa.

48 Find out more about the benefits of joining at www.rgs.org/joinus

RGS panel

THE NATURE OF DOMESTICATION Exploring the urban animals seemingly self-domesticating.

DEPARTMENTS WORLDWATCH 6 Mineral evolution 8 Switching poles 9 Climatewatch 10 Yemen’s potential oil spill 12 Ozone controversy 13 Geopolitical hotspot:

Japan’s defensive re-think 14 Research round-up 14 Geo-graphic: largest deserts

REGULARS 56 Reviews 60 Gallery: Earth Photo 68 Geo-photographer: Arpita

Shah 72 Discovering Britain: Sherwood Forest 74 Where in the World? 75 Crossword 76 RGS-IBG archive 78 In Society; RGS–IBG events 82 Next month: Africa’s last penguins

SEPTEMBER 2022 . 5