Nathan Rott
Nathan (Nate) Rott is a correspondent on NPR's Science Desk, where he reports on the natural world and humanity's relationship to it.
Since coming to NPR in 2013, Rott has worked on the network's National Desk and Climate Desk, covering the American West, natural disasters, mass shootings, sports, politics and international climate talks. He also contributed to NPR's coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Before becoming a full-time journalist, Rott worked as a wildland firefighter, commercial fisherman, children's theater teacher, and snow shoveler for the U.S. Antarctic Program. He's shoveled a lot of snow.
Rott can be reached via encrypted message on the Signal app at nrott.87.
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An unprecedented rescue mission is underway to save a valuable space observatory before it burns up in Earth's atmosphere.
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Foundation species like coral, oysters and big trees are critical to their ecosystems, providing food and shelter. A new study finds their influence continues after their death.
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There are roughly 2.5 million known species on the planet, but scientists estimate that's only a fraction of the biodiversity on Earth. A new study shows we're finding new species like never before.
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Scientists have long known that plastic waste is bad for marine animals. A new study quantifies how little ingested plastic it takes to be a lethal dose. -
The avian flu is devastating marine mammal populations. A new survey finds that nearly half of breeding females in the world's largest population of southern elephant seals were killed by the virus.
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Scientists have known for decades that many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation. It's less clear how they do it. A new study suggests earthworms may be a good way to figure it out. (This story first aired on All Things Considered on October 15, 2025.)
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Scientists have known for decades that many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation. It's less clear how they do it. A new study suggests earthworms may be a good way to figure it out. (This story first aired on All Things Considered on October 15, 2025.)
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Jane Goodall, a legendary primatologist whose studies of wild chimpanzees transformed our understanding of apes, died Wednesday at age 91.
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On a rare undeveloped point of the California coast, scientists are trying to repopulate shorelines with an endangered marine snail. This type of experimental conservation is becoming more necessary. This story first aired on All Things Considered on November 7, 2024.
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A recent biodiversity meeting acknowledged the serious problem of deforestation while a new report on global environmental threats to trees offered a startling estimate.
