Publication Items

The 9/11 Legacy — Fear Drew Curtain Over Environmental Information [1]

Twenty years after the attacks on 9/11, the war on terror has left many risks in the built environment under a cloak of secrecy. For WatchDog Opinion, keeping vital information about such preventable hazards under wraps from the public and journalists is not just wrong, but bad policy. Here’s why. Plus, a rundown for environment reporters of where exactly this secrecy reigns.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [3]
Agriculture [4]
Air [5]
Chemicals [6]
Disasters [7]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Food [11]
Government [12]
Health [13]
Infrastructure [14]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [17]
People & Population [18]
Policy [19]
Transportation [20]
Waste [21]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
California [24]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [25]
International [26]
Africa [27]
Asia [28]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about The 9/11 Legacy — Fear Drew Curtain Over Environmental Information [1]
Tracking the Big Climate Bills — An Infrastructure/Reconciliation Breakdown [30]

During the next two weeks, expect a rush of Congressional activity as both chambers attempt to set details that will constitute what some see as possibly the most important climate legislation in years. TipSheet helps you keep track of the action, first setting the stage on two massive measures, and then providing resources to track more than half-a-dozen House committees.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [3]
Agriculture [4]
Climate Change [32]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Government [12]
Infrastructure [14]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Policy [19]
Science [33]
Transportation [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Tracking the Big Climate Bills — An Infrastructure/Reconciliation Breakdown [30]
Air Quality Monitors — and Their Data — Now Easy To Find Via Online Map [34]

High-impact environmental stories often come by tracking polluted air, whether from summer smog, wildfire smoke or numerous other sources. Reporter’s Toolbox offers a series of air pollution data reporting resources, including an interactive map of U.S. air quality monitors. Get the details, plus eight smart suggestions for critical stories from the air pollution data you tap.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [35]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Air [5]
Chemicals [6]
Government [12]
Health [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Pollution [36]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Air Quality Monitors — and Their Data — Now Easy To Find Via Online Map [34]
Covering New IPCC Reports Helps Explain Gravity of Climate Crisis [37]

A new science assessment released this week pinpoints more global warming risks, but also represents reporting challenges to environmental journalists working to cover climate change. Veteran climate journalist Bob Berwyn has the latest news from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and advice for reporters working the climate beat. Plus, links to other climate change reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [38]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Climate Change [32]
Disasters [7]
Energy & Fuel [9]
Environmental Health [39]
Environmental Justice [40]
Environmental Politics [10]
Environmental Studies [41]
Forests [42]
Government [12]
Health [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Planning & Growth [43]
Policy [19]
Science [33]
Transportation [20]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
International [26]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Covering New IPCC Reports Helps Explain Gravity of Climate Crisis [37]
Beach Closures Offer Key to Bigger Water Pollution Stories [44]

People all too often swim in waters whose pollution risks are far scarier — and far more real — than shark attacks. Yet little attention is paid to the environmental stories behind the beach closures such pollution can necessitate. TipSheet helps you dip your toe, with the backstory on the most common cause for these health risks, plus reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Consumer [45]
Environmental Health [39]
Fish & Fisheries [46]
Health [13]
Infrastructure [14]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [36]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
California [24]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Beach Closures Offer Key to Bigger Water Pollution Stories [44]
Irrigation Districts Are Key to Covering Coming Drought [47]

With megadrought a growing reality, one way into the story is through ubiquitous water management agencies. TipSheet surveys the “waterscape” of these governmental bodies — from local irrigation districts to multi-state regional water compacts — and how focusing on them can yield vital insights for drought stories. Plus, questions to ask and links to reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Climate Change [32]
Consumer [45]
Disasters [7]
Environmental Health [39]
Environmental Politics [10]
Fish & Fisheries [46]
Government [12]
Infrastructure [14]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Natural Resources [48]
People & Population [18]
Planning & Growth [43]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Irrigation Districts Are Key to Covering Coming Drought [47]
To-Do List for Climate Change Gas Methane Is Long, Challenging … and Newsy [49]

The climate change gas methane, relatively little controlled but with a global warming potential many times that of carbon dioxide, has been much in the news recently and promises to remain there. The latest Backgrounder helps environmental journalists track the problem by detailing methane’s sources — from oil and gas production, agriculture and landfills — and the politics surrounding its regulation.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [50]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Air [5]
Chemicals [6]
Climate Change [32]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Government [12]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Policy [19]
Pollution [36]
Waste [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
International [26]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about To-Do List for Climate Change Gas Methane Is Long, Challenging … and Newsy [49]
Lawn Chemicals May Make Fertile Soil for Local Environmental Stories [51]

Lawns can be as much bane as boon for homeowners that care for them throughout the United States. But when their maintenance involves the use of pesticides and fertilizers, they become a much wider concern for community health and the surrounding environment. The latest TipSheet combs through the grass for a better understanding of the problem, and offers ideas and resources for local environmental coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Chemicals [6]
Consumer [45]
Environmental Health [39]
Health [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [36]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Lawn Chemicals May Make Fertile Soil for Local Environmental Stories [51]
Wastewater Ponds Often a Local Story Worth Stirring Up [52]

The tale of a toxic wastewater pit menacing a Florida community is a story that could be told in communities around the nation. As the latest TipSheet warns, these waste sites can turn into ticking time bombs. But in reporting the story locally, the first thing to know is which of the many kinds of wastewater ponds to look for. Here’s a rundown.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Chemicals [6]
Disasters [7]
Health [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [36]
Waste [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [53]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [54]
International [26]
Canada [55]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Wastewater Ponds Often a Local Story Worth Stirring Up [52]
“Eating Wild Japan: Tracking the Culture of Foraged Foods, With a Guide to Plants and Recipes” [56]

A world of unique, foraged foods is at the heart of a new book, “Eating Wild Japan: Tracking the Culture of Foraged Foods, With a Guide to Plants and Recipes,” that also delves into what is being lost with large-scale farming. Our BookShelf reviewer Melody Kemp shares the joys and the worries recounted by the author, long-time SEJer Winifred Bird.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [57]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [4]
Consumer [45]
Food [11]
Journalism & Media [15]
Region:
International [26]
Asia [28]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about “Eating Wild Japan: Tracking the Culture of Foraged Foods, With a Guide to Plants and Recipes” [56]

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