The skipper, Don Nelson, steps on to the black volcanic reef, slippery with algae. We follow, past exposed mangrove roots up to higher ground. Pelicans swoop into the trees. This remote archipelago still hosts the unique species, such as giant tortoises and finches, that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and it is impossible not to be struck by the apparent harmony with which animals coexist with humans here.
But then, a jarring sight: a marine iguana, a species found nowhere else in the world, sits atop a mound of plastic litter-fishing buoys, oil drums, containers, drinks bottles - all pushed on to the reef by high spring tides. The reptile, classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is among the species here most at risk from plastic.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 27, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 27, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
UK is in one of most dangerous periods in history, Sunak says
Britain is facing one of the most dangerous periods in its history, Rishi Sunak will say today, in a speech intended to frame the general election as a generational tussle for the long-term future of the country.
Union boss says Elphicke is 'incompatible' with Labour
TUC president expresses alarm at MP's support of anti-strike law
Superbugs 'will make Covid-19 look minor'
The Covid-19 pandemic will \"look minor\" compared with what humanity faces from the growing number of superbugs resistant to drugs, Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's former chief medical officer, has warned.
Thousands of people displaced as floods cause chaos in Kenya
Kenya is grappling with floods that have killed 257 people across the east African nation, after weeks of torrential rainfall scientists have linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Deepfake scam targets CEO of world's biggest ad firm
The head of the world's biggest advertising group was the target of an elaborate deepfake scam involving an artificial intelligence voice clone.
No Ken do Blunt, stunts and Gosling: how did The Fall Guy flop?
On paper, it couldn't fail.
"Today we flee again' Palestinians seek safety from strikes on Rafah
Under a blazing summer sun, tens of thousands of Palestinians fled Israeli bombardment and clashes with Hamas militants in Rafah yesterday, choking roads with carts, bicycles, pickup trucks and wheelchairs.
Style, but no substance? Dismay as Met Gala loses political edge
As pro-Palestinian protests unfolded blocks away, the Met Gala, which took place in New York on Monday evening, unfolded devoid of political statement.
Labour Is Starmer pushing party base too far?
Two days after defecting to Labour, the former Conservative Natalie Elphicke stood in front of a pure red backdrop as she introduced Keir Starmer in her Dover constituency - on the frontline of the battle over stopping small boat crossings.
NFU lobbied minister to increase amount of pesticides allowed in drinking water
The National Farmers' Union lobbied to increase the amount of pesticides allowed in the UK's drinking water and to allow farmers to spread manure more frequently as part of a post-Brexit loosening of environmental regulations, it can be revealed.