Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, spending time with his daughters, and coffee.

Articles by Matthew Russell

Two whales are swimming in deep green ocean waters, with water spouts visible.

Whales Turn Our Oceans Into Living Farms And We’ve Been Starving Them

Baleen whales don’t just swim through the sea—they feed it. New research shows summering whales recycle more than 800 tons of nitrogen a day in Nordic waters, lifting productivity where...

Whales Turn Our Oceans Into Living Farms And We’ve Been Starving Them

Baleen whales don’t just swim through the sea—they feed it. New research shows summering whales recycle more than 800 tons of nitrogen a day in Nordic waters, lifting productivity where...

Turquoise waves crash against rocks, creating frothy white spray in sunlight.

Ocean Acidity Is Rising And It's Turning The Ocean Into One Big Underwater Amplifier

As the ocean absorbs more CO₂, pH drops—and low-frequency sound doesn’t fade like it used to. Borate-driven absorption weakens, so rumbles from ships and storms can travel much farther.

Ocean Acidity Is Rising And It's Turning The Ocean Into One Big Underwater Amplifier

As the ocean absorbs more CO₂, pH drops—and low-frequency sound doesn’t fade like it used to. Borate-driven absorption weakens, so rumbles from ships and storms can travel much farther.

A small, dark figure resembling a fish swims among shimmering blue beads.

These Tiny Ocean Warriors May Hold The Key To Ending Plastic Pollution Forever

Deep in the ocean, unseen armies of bacteria are evolving to dine on the plastic we’ve left behind.

These Tiny Ocean Warriors May Hold The Key To Ending Plastic Pollution Forever

Deep in the ocean, unseen armies of bacteria are evolving to dine on the plastic we’ve left behind.

Millions of Red Crabs Flood Christmas Island in a Fiery March to the Sea

Millions of Red Crabs Flood Christmas Island in a Fiery March to the Sea

Every year, the forests of Christmas Island come alive — and then start to move.

Millions of Red Crabs Flood Christmas Island in a Fiery March to the Sea

Every year, the forests of Christmas Island come alive — and then start to move.

Mother monkey walks on a branch with her baby clinging to her back.

Viral Videos Drive Slaughter Of Spider Monkey Families For Illegal Pet Trade

A diapered baby monkey on your feed looks innocent. The path to that clip begins with a gunshot in a rainforest and ends in a Texas parking lot.

Viral Videos Drive Slaughter Of Spider Monkey Families For Illegal Pet Trade

A diapered baby monkey on your feed looks innocent. The path to that clip begins with a gunshot in a rainforest and ends in a Texas parking lot.

Vibrant coral reef with orange branching corals and colorful fish against a blue background.

Two Coral Species Have Vanished From Florida Reefs, Leaving Coasts Exposed

Florida’s most important reef builders just went silent. After last summer’s brutal ocean heat, staghorn and elkhorn corals are now functionally extinct across much of the reef.

Two Coral Species Have Vanished From Florida Reefs, Leaving Coasts Exposed

Florida’s most important reef builders just went silent. After last summer’s brutal ocean heat, staghorn and elkhorn corals are now functionally extinct across much of the reef.