(Photos: Musuk Nolte / Courtesy of National Geographic Society.)
Preserving the Amazon
The professor helping revive the region’s vital lands.
The Amazon rainforest is often described as the planet’s “heart and lungs” — and for good reason. Its rich biodiversity sustains life around the globe, from regulating the climate to providing lifesaving pharmaceuticals.
Josh West, professor of Earth sciences and environmental studies, has devoted his career to driving sustainability in this region. His current research focuses on the impact of artisanal gold mining — a term that sounds innocuous but often masks a devastating practice.