Leo Sands

@leo-sands.bsky.social

Breaking news reporter at The Washington Post

After 3.5 action-packed years, Thursday was my last day at the Post. Worked with a truly great team but the time has come for pastures anew. The ad for my old London-based role is live and I’m happy to answer any Qs about it.

Bild

This updated report from NOAA is not good news, & is an indicator of global ecological stress. Heat-related damage to coral reefs can be curbed with rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions & removing CO2 from the atmosphere. @leo-sands.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

World’s largest bleaching event on record has harmed 84 percent of coral reefs

Bleached coral dies when exposed to heat stress for too long, threatening the bountiful marine ecosystem that depends on it for survival.

washingtonpost.com

Coral reefs around the world are losing their color at an unprecedented scale as a result of rising sea temperatures, federal marine scientists announced this week. A global coral bleaching event has exposed 84 percent of reefs to color-zapping heat. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

World’s largest bleaching event on record has harmed 84 percent of coral reefs

Bleached coral dies when exposed to heat stress for too long, threatening the bountiful marine ecosystem that depends on it for survival.

washingtonpost.com

At the same time as President Trump casts many U.S. research efforts into turmoil with funding cuts and executive edicts, Europe is investing millions in a flurry of newly announced academic programs in an energetic effort to lure top American scientists across the Atlantic: wapo.st/4iRdcU9

Europe races to lure U.S. scientists as Trump puts pressure on universities

Some European universities are offering funding for American scientists considering a relocation and promising a safe haven free from academic censorship.

washingtonpost.com

In the throes of conflict, this close encounter between two of our prehistoric ancestors feels extra remarkable somehow. Thanks @kevinhatala.bsky.social and Craig Feibel for talking to me about what they unearthed about this moment from 1.5 million years ago. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2024...

Rare footprints suggest two of our prehistoric ancestors may have met

The footprints are the first clear evidence that the two hominin species shared a habitat, raising questions about whether their interactions shaped human evolution.

washingtonpost.com