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]
- Read more about The Bounty of the Gift Economy [1]
Climate Action Looks First To Go Under New Administration [12]

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pull the United States out of the Paris climate treaty and to maximize U.S. fossil fuel production. And as the transition to his incoming administration unfolds, he has named a cabinet replete with climate action skeptics. But will all that stop the transition to cleaner power? The latest EJ TransitionWatch has an assessment.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ TransitionWatch [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Climate Change [14]
Consumer [4]
Energy & Fuel [15]
Environmental Politics [16]
Government [17]
Infrastructure [18]
Laws & Regulations [19]
Policy [8]
Pollution [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Climate Action Looks First To Go Under New Administration [12]
Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [21]

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 [22]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [23]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Fish & Fisheries [24]
Government [17]
Journalism & Media [25]
Laws & Regulations [19]
Wildlife [26]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
California [27]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [28]
International [10]
Mexico [29]
Africa [30]
Central America & the Caribbean [31]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [21]
Is Fluoride Facing Phaseout in Your Community’s Drinking Water? [32]

Fluoridated drinking water has helped limit tooth decay in the United States for decades. But that could come to an end in the Trump administration, if fluoride nonfan Robert F. Kennedy Jr., slated to head Health and Human Services, has his way. In the first installment of SEJournal’s new weekly EJ TransitionWatch column, we examine the challenge to this public health success story. Plus, questions to ask and resources for your reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ TransitionWatch [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [33]
Chemicals [34]
Consumer [4]
Environmental Politics [16]
Government [17]
Health [35]
Infrastructure [18]
Journalism & Media [25]
Laws & Regulations [19]
People & Population [7]
Policy [8]
Science [36]
Water & Oceans [37]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Is Fluoride Facing Phaseout in Your Community’s Drinking Water? [32]
Could Beef Be the Route to a Bird Flu Pandemic? [38]

What goes on the backyard grill may be an important environmental story for any number of reasons. But as the latest TipSheet points out, one especially worrying one at the moment is the possibility that avian flu could jump species and create a public health crisis. Here’s what we know right now, along with story ideas and reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Consumer [4]
Food [6]
Health [35]
Journalism & Media [25]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Could Beef Be the Route to a Bird Flu Pandemic? [38]
Should Weather Data Really Be Withheld From the Public? [40]

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 [41]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Politics [16]
Government [17]
Journalism & Media [25]
Policy [8]
Science [36]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Should Weather Data Really Be Withheld From the Public? [40]
Eco-Alternatives to the Perfect, Weedless Lawn [42]

A good and very localizable environmental story is right outside your front door … or at least outside your neighbor’s. Lawns and the myriad ways they are managed can provide a window into wildness, or resource use, or chemical pollution. The latest TipSheet offers more than a dozen story ideas and reporting resources, from xeriscaping and butterfly gardens to nurseries and planning boards.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Chemicals [34]
Consumer [4]
Environmental Health [43]
Government [17]
Journalism & Media [25]
Laws & Regulations [19]
Planning & Growth [44]
Pollution [20]
Waste [45]
Water & Oceans [37]
Wildlife [26]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Eco-Alternatives to the Perfect, Weedless Lawn [42]
Extreme Heat Changes Landscape for Summer Recreation Stories [46]

Outdoor recreation is a half-trillion-dollar industry in the United States and summer is a peak season for fun. But as the planet warms, the combination of extreme heat and outdoor activity greatly raises the health risk. The latest TipSheet explores more than a half-dozen common pastimes to report on — whether fishing and hiking or picnics and state fairs — that now hold hidden dangers.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Consumer [4]
Health [35]
Journalism & Media [25]
People & Population [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Extreme Heat Changes Landscape for Summer Recreation Stories [46]
Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [47]

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 [48]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [34]
Climate Change [14]
Consumer [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [15]
Environmental Health [43]
Environmental Politics [16]
Government [17]
Health [35]
Journalism & Media [25]
Policy [8]
Pollution [20]
Waste [45]
Water & Oceans [37]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [10]
Asia [49]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [47]
What Makes Communities More Survivable in Extreme Heat Events? [50]

When heat waves hit your area, as they did for much of the United States in June, local responses can (and should) go well beyond individual behaviors to address broader area actions — from cool pavements to urban trees. For environmental journalists, that means community-level heat response is an important climate story angle. TipSheet explains, then offers a dozen story ideas, along with reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Consumer [4]
Disasters [51]
Health [35]
Infrastructure [18]
Journalism & Media [25]
People & Population [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about What Makes Communities More Survivable in Extreme Heat Events? [50]

Pages