CATALYST PLANET

By Nina Esteghamat Cologne, Germany, is the unexpected epicenter of European queer celebration, with its gay districts, carnivals and multiple pride parades Cologne Pride banner that translates to “Cologne is colorful, plurality instead of simplicity.” Uwe Aranas. CC BY-SA 3.0. I first learned about Cologne during an oral history project, where one of my peers shared an interview she conducted with her German aunt. They joked about Cologne, hinting at the number of lesbian bars in the city.

By Kaitlin Murray After centuries of near disappearance, Mexico's oldest sport is being reclaimed by a new generation. Pok-ta-pok players in Mexico. Sputnik. CC-BY-SA-2.5. In the ruins of Chichen Itza, the most iconic Mayan site in the Yucatan Peninsula, a vendor waves me over and presses a black rubber ball into my hands. This is the same kind of ball used in the Mesoamerican ball game for thousands of years, made of natural rubber from the jungles of southern Mexico.

By Kaitlin Murray In the face of conflict, road accidents, and other threats, scientists are working to pull the Asiatic cheetah back from the brink of extinction. Asiatic cheetah. Erfan Kouchari. CC BY 4.0. In February 2026, nine days before the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, rangers filmed a female cheetah with five cubs in the North Khorasan province, the largest litter ever recorded for the subspecies.

Sophia Michelen A journey through Arctic Norway examines the Northern Lights from scientific, geographic, and cultural perspectives, including aurora research, Sami traditions, and the landscapes of the Norwegian coast. The deck lights are dimmed to red as the MS Trollfjord moves quietly through the Arctic night. Beyond the railings, the sea is black and nearly indistinguishable from the sky, and passengers stand in silence, watching.

Kaitlin Murray Explore the Indigenous villages, wildlife, and waterways along the Amazon River in Brazil as they adapt to tourism. The Indigenous Desana people welcome visitors with a traditional dance. Kaitlin Murray. Bouncing in a speed boat along the Rio Negro, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, I see the opaque dark waters extend in every direction. Leaving the busy port of Manaus, the capital city of the northwestern state of Amazonas, I look back at the skyline rising above the forest.

Kleigh Carroll Booking a trip with a responsible tourism company can help ensure that you leave a positive impact on the communities you visit. Responsible tourism is becoming an increasingly hot topic as we navigate the era of human-induced climate change. Some companies strive to be sustainable, pointing to markers like B Corp certifications , donating to nonprofit organizations or taking steps to achieve carbon neutrality.

Tuvalu also offers many historical and archaeological sites. During World War II, many air force bases were situated on the islet of Motulalo in Nukufetau, Funafuti atoll, Fongafale and the northeastern side of Nanumea. Travelers can still see remains of plane and shipwrecks today. There is also an underground bunker on the islet of that has been preserved since World War II. Travelers can also see remnants from Charles Darwin's experiments for his theory on the formation of atolls.

Many of us have nostalgic memories of learning to fish with our grandparents. They took us to the pond, put the bait on our hook, and gave us our first casting lesson. However, there is a noticeable disparity between male and female children who continue their fishing experiences. According to a study by The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), only 19% of female anglers between the ages of 13-17 continue fishing after age 12 opposed to 30% of their male counterparts.