Aryn Baker

Baker is an award-winning foreign correspondent based in Rome. She has reported for TIME from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Recent Articles

Pope Leo XIV Steps Onto the World Stage

The first American pope succeeds Francis, preaching peace while confronting Church divides and urgent global crises.

By Aryn Baker

Conclave Picks Robert Prevost

The newly elected Pope succeeds Francis amid growing calls for reform and navigating a divided Church.

By Aryn Baker

Who Could Be the Next Pope?

Contenders for pope emerge from the U.S., Asia, and Africa—raising the chance of a non-European successor to Francis.

By Aryn Baker

How Pope Francis' Legacy Was Celebrated by Mourners at His Funeral

“Pope Francis shifted attitudes. He has changed the church," says one mourner who stood outside the funeral proceedings.

By Aryn Baker

Inside Fiji's Battle Against Plastics

Fiji is ground zero for the planet’s waste problem—and the challenge of stopping it at the source.

By Aryn Baker/Lautoka, Fiji

Experts Are Skeptical About Companies Offsetting Plastic Waste

Companies are buying plastic credits to offset their impact. But some say producing less is the only way to stop plastic pollution.

By Aryn Baker and Video by Lisa Nho

The Climate Impact of Avoiding the Panama and Suez Canals

Houthi Red Sea attacks and drought in Central America are forcing ships to take longer routes—with serious repercussions for the climate.

By Aryn Baker and Video by Joey Lautrup

2023 Was the Hottest Year Ever and 2024 May Be Even Worse

New climate data from scientific agencies show that the world is perilously close to reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

By Aryn Baker

Microplastics in Bottled Water 10 Times Worse Than Thought

New research reveals that a liter of bottled water contains an average 240,000 microscopic plastic particles. The health impact is unclear.

By Aryn Baker

Was COP28 A Success or Flop? Depends Who You Ask

The COP28 climate conference in Dubai ended with an agreement that acknowledges fossil fuels' harm but does little to limit climate change.

By Aryn Baker / Dubai

Bioplastics Are Still Mostly Garbage

A proposed ban on single-use plastics is a boon for the bioplastic industry, but are they really good for the environment?

By Aryn Baker

Countries May Be a Step Closer to Tackling Plastic Pollution

Nations are gathering in Nairobi to hammer out a binding treaty to deal with plastic pollution.

By Aryn Baker / Nairobi

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Leadership

The Nobel Prize laureate and former president of Liberia fosters women's public service leadership through her Amujae Initiative.

By Aryn Baker

Big Oil's New Fossil Fuel Deals vs. Their Green Spending

Chevron and Exxon spent more this year buying up fossil fuel assets than they plan to spend on lower carbon efforts for the next five years.

By Aryn Baker

Compostable Dog Poop Bags Aren't Really That Compostable

Some of the best selling pet waste bags on Amazon are compostable. In the U.S., dog poop usually isn't. So why do we buy them?

By Aryn Baker

Research Lacking on Plastic's Health Impact in Global South

Scientists mapped thousands of studies on the health impacts of plastic chemicals. Their findings will be critical to better regulation.

By Aryn Baker

Why Plant-Based Fine Dining Is the New Luxury

“I feel very much at peace with having a fine dining restaurant that cooks for the 1%, because I know that this voice does affect change."

By Aryn Baker

To Leap-Frog Fossil Fuels, Africa Needs More Clean Energy Investment

Africa saw just 2% of global clean energy investment this year, despite the continent being home to one-fifth of humanity.

By Aryn Baker

One Man's Quest to Heal the Oceans—And Maybe Save the World

"I don’t see a bigger purpose than working to save life on earth," says ecologist and ocean conservationist Enric Sala.

By Aryn Baker

Chronic Kidney Disease May Be the Black Lung of Climate Change

Chronic Kidney Disease could be the first climate-change related occupational disease.

By Aryn Baker
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