Publication Items

The Bounty of the Gift Economy [1]

Bestselling Indigenous botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, in her new book, exalts a simple berry that helps sustain the life around it, and in doing so exemplifies the economic power of giving. “The Serviceberry” explores the traditions of the gift economy and its potential to be nurtured alongside the market economy. The latest BookShelf from contributor Jenny Weeks.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Food [6]
People & Population [7]
Policy [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
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What Biden Rules Could Congress Unplug With Review Act? [12]

As the Biden White House rushes to enact environment and energy policy before Inauguration Day, an obscure law leaves room for the incoming administration to claw them back. At risk: strengthened emissions standards for vehicles and power, tougher energy efficiency standards and plans to replace lead pipes. The latest EJ TransitionWatch explains how the reversal works — and why it might not.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ TransitionWatch [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [14]
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [16]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Infrastructure [19]
Laws & Regulations [20]
Policy [8]
Pollution [21]
Technology [22]
Transportation [23]
Water & Oceans [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about What Biden Rules Could Congress Unplug With Review Act? [12]
Beat Reporter Spotlights Costs of California's Environmental Reckoning [25]

The fossil fuel industry’s outsized climate policy role in the U.S.’s most populous state is the core of award-winning coverage from investigative journalist Aaron Cantú for nonprofit newsroom Capital & Main. In the new Inside Story Q&A, Cantú shares some of what challenged him in his reporting, what surprised him most and a lesson learned.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [26]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [16]
Environmental Justice [27]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Journalism & Media [28]
Laws & Regulations [20]
Natural Resources [29]
Policy [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
California [30]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Beat Reporter Spotlights Costs of California's Environmental Reckoning [25]
Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [31]

Illicit trade in wild animals and plants is a billion-dollar global business that threatens biodiversity and human health. Endless reporting opportunities range from exposing corruption and criminal networks to debunking claims about products derived from endangered species. Journalist Rene Ebersole shares insights from her 20 years on the trail of wildlife smugglers, poachers and other environmental lawbreakers — and introduces a new nonprofit dedicated to this beat.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [33]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Fish & Fisheries [34]
Government [18]
Journalism & Media [28]
Laws & Regulations [20]
Wildlife [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
California [30]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [36]
International [10]
Mexico [37]
Africa [38]
Central America & the Caribbean [39]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [31]
EPA Science Integrity Threatened by House Republicans [40]

The closest thing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has to a press policy is actually its scientific integrity policy. But as WatchDog Opinion writer Joseph Davis writes in the latest EJ TransitionWatch, the EPA’s scientific integrity policy is under direct attack by a powerful congressman. What’s behind the attack? And could the EPA’s science be under assault next?

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ TransitionWatch [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [41]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Politics [17]
Environmental Studies [42]
Government [18]
Health [43]
Journalism & Media [28]
Policy [8]
Science [44]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about EPA Science Integrity Threatened by House Republicans [40]
Threats of Media Censorship Cloud COP29 [45]

Again this year, a petrostate hosts the COP climate gathering. Azerbaijan as host not only raises questions of how an oil-rich nation can help foster the fossil fuel cuts needed to stem climate change. But WatchDog Opinion also worries what Azerbaijan’s poor press freedom record will mean for journalists covering the gathering and for the civil society that normally enlivens the meeting.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog [46]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [47]
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [16]
Environmental Justice [27]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Journalism & Media [28]
Policy [8]
Region:
International [10]
Asia [48]
Europe [49]
Middle East [50]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Threats of Media Censorship Cloud COP29 [45]
Should Weather Data Really Be Withheld From the Public? [51]

Project 2025, which many consider a blueprint for a second Trump term, calls for breaking up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and pivoting its National Weather Service to commercial operations, shutting down its free flow of data to news outlets and others. WatchDog Opinion column argues a not-so-hidden motive is at the heart of these sweeping changes: the desire to obscure evidence of climate change.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog [46]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [15]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Journalism & Media [28]
Policy [8]
Science [44]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Should Weather Data Really Be Withheld From the Public? [51]
Investigation Explores Dueling Narratives for Addressing Climate Change [52]

Is carbon capture a climate solution or a dangerous distraction? That was the question that Inside Climate News reporter Nicholas Kusnetz asked in his award-winning explanatory series, “Pipe Dreams.” For Inside Story, Kusnetz talks of the challenges of writing about a technology that largely doesn’t yet exist, and the variety of story forms he used to explore the reality of industry promises.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [26]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [16]
Environmental Justice [27]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Infrastructure [19]
Journalism & Media [28]
Laws & Regulations [20]
Natural Resources [29]
People & Population [7]
Policy [8]
Pollution [21]
Technology [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [53]
International [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Investigation Explores Dueling Narratives for Addressing Climate Change [52]
Track Harmful Algal Blooms With Data. Avoid Bad Clams [54]

It’s summertime and the living is easy for algae that can be hazardous to human health. Climate heating and agricultural pollution are making the problem worse. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explores useful sources of data for tracking trends. Plus, tips on how to use the data for local reporting on the risks posed by this seasonal threat.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [55]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Biodiversity [33]
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Health [56]
Fish & Fisheries [34]
Food [6]
Government [18]
Health [43]
Journalism & Media [28]
Natural Resources [29]
Pollution [21]
Science [44]
Water & Oceans [24]
Wildlife [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Track Harmful Algal Blooms With Data. Avoid Bad Clams [54]
Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [57]

A major intergovernmental gathering later this year will address plastic pollution, including in oceans. But an overview from our Issue Backgrounder notes that the likelihood of solving the problem may be small. One reason? Petrochemical industry lobbying. Another? The shifting world market for plastic waste. And there are more concerns, such as the effectiveness of incineration and chemical recycling techniques. More, including questions to ask, in Backgrounder.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [58]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [41]
Climate Change [15]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [16]
Environmental Health [56]
Environmental Politics [17]
Government [18]
Health [43]
Journalism & Media [28]
Policy [8]
Pollution [21]
Waste [59]
Water & Oceans [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Asia [48]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [57]

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