Publication Items

NASA Set To Ditch Satellite-Based Environmental Data Source [1]

Instrumentation on the International Space Station that gathers 3-D images of forest canopies and other environmental data is scheduled to soon be junked. But the move is provoking an outcry from scientists and pushback from some politicians. Reporter’s Toolbox examines what the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation does and how journalists might make use of it, while it lasts.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [3]
Climate Change [4]
Environmental Politics [5]
Environmental Studies [6]
Forests [7]
Journalism & Media [8]
Science [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
International [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about NASA Set To Ditch Satellite-Based Environmental Data Source [1]
Disinformation Presents New Challenges to Environmental Journalists [13]

An explosion of deliberately misleading information has hit the environmental journalism beat, argues the new Backgrounder. A look at how today’s untruth industry has evolved from that of the past, particularly in the area of climate change, and how reporters have now turned it into its own specialty coverage area. Plus, seven tips on what you can do to handle disinformation on your beat.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [4]
Economy & Business [15]
Environmental Politics [5]
Environmental Studies [6]
Journalism & Media [8]
Policy [16]
Science [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Disinformation Presents New Challenges to Environmental Journalists [13]
When Sizing Up Threats to Biodiversity, Databases Can Help [17]

Biodiversity is on the minds of many this week as international biodiversity treaty talks take place in Montreal. For environmental journalists covering the topic, there are a number of databases readily available that track endangered species in the United States and globally. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox has a helpful list. Plus, visit our new biodiversity “Topics on the Beat” [18] page and keep on top of the latest biodiversity headlines [19] with EJToday.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [3]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Politics [5]
Environmental Studies [6]
Journalism & Media [8]
Science [9]
Wildlife [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
International [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about When Sizing Up Threats to Biodiversity, Databases Can Help [17]
Bird Migration Explorer Can Help Hatch Environmental Stories [22]

A new data mapper that allows users to track bird migrations is a cache of ideas for journalists looking to illustrate the connections between birds, habitats and human activity. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox takes a (non-geeky) look at the Bird Migration Explorer, how to best use it and the range of story possibilities it may yield.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [3]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Studies [6]
Journalism & Media [8]
Wildlife [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
International [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Bird Migration Explorer Can Help Hatch Environmental Stories [22]
Reporting on Storm Chasing’s ‘Human Side’ Hints at Climate’s Future [23]

Writer Noah Gallagher Shannon followed scientists into the heart of the megastorms ravaging an agricultural region in Argentina, and in the process learned not just about their high-risk fieldwork and what these massive thunderstorms might tell us about the storms of the future in the United States, but also their impact on affected communities. Find out about his reporting experience in this Inside Story Q&A.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [24]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [25]
Climate Change [4]
Disasters [26]
Environmental Justice [27]
Environmental Studies [6]
Journalism & Media [8]
People & Population [28]
Science [9]
Region:
International [11]
South America [29]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Reporting on Storm Chasing’s ‘Human Side’ Hints at Climate’s Future [23]
U.S. Wildfire Response Badly Off-Base, New Doc Convincingly Shows [30]

A gripping new documentary on raging megafires weaves together stunning cinematography with deeply researched revelations that reveal the futility of current policy around managing wildfires, writes veteran wildfire reporter Robert McClure in a new EJ InSight column. His review, with three big takeaways.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ InSight [31]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [32]
Climate Change [4]
Disasters [26]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Politics [5]
Environmental Studies [6]
Forests [7]
Government [33]
People & Population [28]
Planning & Growth [34]
Policy [16]
Science [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
California [35]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [36]
Northwest (OR WA) [37]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about U.S. Wildfire Response Badly Off-Base, New Doc Convincingly Shows [30]
On the Persistence of Ocean Plastics [38]

Concerns about seaborne plastic waste go back decades, but science writer Juli Berwald suggests that myths and disinformation about sources and solutions continue to cloud the waters. From lentil-sized nurdles to sprawling fishing nets, 200 million tons of plastic now fill the ocean and, for her, it has become evident that the ocean plastics story is really a land story. But will the newly signed international treaty on plastics offer relief?

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [39]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [32]
Biodiversity [3]
Chemicals [40]
Climate Change [4]
Consumer [41]
Economy & Business [15]
Energy & Fuel [42]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Studies [6]
Fish & Fisheries [43]
Government [33]
Infrastructure [44]
Journalism & Media [8]
Laws & Regulations [45]
Natural Resources [46]
Policy [16]
Pollution [47]
Science [9]
Technology [48]
Waste [49]
Water & Oceans [50]
Wildlife [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Alaska and Hawaii [51]
California [35]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [52]
Northwest (OR WA) [37]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [53]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [54]
International [11]
Mexico [55]
Africa [56]
Asia [57]
Europe [58]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about On the Persistence of Ocean Plastics [38]
Methane, a Key Global Warming Source, Is Targeted by Nations [59]

Carbon dioxide may get more attention, but the second-most damaging greenhouse gas, methane, is now the focus of a global pledge to cut emissions 30% by 2030. As part of a Society of Environmental Journalists publishing project focused on covering climate solutions, we take a closer look at methane with energy reporter Nushin Huq. A primer on the climate-related problems of methane and the promise of methane-based solutions. Plus, watch a recent SEJ methane solutions webinar [60] and see our Methane and Climate Change Toolbox [61].

SEJ Publication Types:
Special Reports [62]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [40]
Climate Change [4]
Energy & Fuel [42]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Politics [5]
Environmental Studies [6]
Government [33]
Journalism & Media [8]
Natural Resources [46]
Policy [16]
Pollution [47]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Alaska and Hawaii [51]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [63]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [36]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [53]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [54]
International [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Methane, a Key Global Warming Source, Is Targeted by Nations [59]
Methane and Climate Change Toolbox [61]

Levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have doubled in the past 150 years due to human activity, particularly from fossil fuels and extensive farming. As part of an ongoing Society of Environmental Journalists special project focused on covering climate solutions, check out a methane resource toolbox and stay tuned for a methane reporting tipsheet in the coming weeks. Plus, watch the recording [60] of an SEJ virtual webinar, Covering Climate Solutions: Containing and Monitoring Methane.

SEJ Publication Types:
Special Reports [62]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [25]
Air [64]
Climate Change [4]
Energy & Fuel [42]
Environmental Health [20]
Environmental Studies [6]
Government [33]
Journalism & Media [8]
Laws & Regulations [45]
Natural Resources [46]
Policy [16]
Pollution [47]
Science [9]
Technology [48]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [63]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [65]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [36]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [54]
International [11]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about Methane and Climate Change Toolbox [61]
NOAA Data Portal Is a Great Home Port for Environmental Journalists [66]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration database is as vast as the oceans the agency monitors and filled with information collected by a wide array of instruments operating above, below and on the water’s surface. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox delves into the NOAA Data Discovery Portal and takes a look at a new search tool that promises easier exploration of this treasure trove.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [64]
Climate Change [4]
Disasters [26]
Environmental Studies [6]
Fish & Fisheries [43]
Government [33]
Journalism & Media [8]
Science [9]
Technology [48]
Water & Oceans [50]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [12]
- Read more about NOAA Data Portal Is a Great Home Port for Environmental Journalists [66]

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