CONTENTS

November 2024 • Volume 96 • Issue 11

COVER STORY

36PHOSPHATESHow the world’s demand for fertiliser is transforming a once fertile Tunisian valley into a wasteland

44 26

TRAVEL OVERLOAD What is the future for tourism, one of the world’s biggest industries?

DEPARTMENTS

WORLDWATCH Positive tipping points 8

New drugs 10 Water from thin air 11 Geo-graphic: The world’s scientists 12 Research round-up 14 Phenomena: Phantom islands

16 WORLDVIEW Then and now 17 Labour’s plans 18 Scientific thinking 19 Tim Marshall on the role of the

United Nations 21

REGULARS Book reviews: Living on Earth by Peter

Godfrey-Smith 66 Equipment matters: Winter running 71

MAPS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD Alastair Bonnett talks about his latest book, 40 Maps That Will Change How You See The World

50SHRINKINGSEA The world’s largest inland body of water, the Caspian Sea, faces a troubled future

60

PENGUIN PARADE One woman’s quest to photograph every species of penguin

Discovering Britain: Arthur’s Seat 79

In Society. RGS-IBG events 76

RGS-IBG Archive: St Helena, 1850 78 Where in the world quiz 80

Crossword 81 Passport: Conservationist Sacha Dench’s travel tips 82

NOVEMBER 2024 . 5