Publication Items

Eat Local for Climate’s Sake? No, Eat Less Meat [1]

Many people who want to reduce their carbon footprint consider the climate impacts of diet, but their efforts may be misdirected. When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, it turns out what we eat is often more important than where it comes from. Sentient Media’s Jenny Splitter unpacks the locavore myth and explains methane burps, carbon opportunity costs and more. First of two parts [2].

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [4]
Agriculture [5]
Climate Change [6]
Consumer [7]
Economy & Business [8]
Environmental Health [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Environmental Studies [11]
Food [12]
Forests [13]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Journalism & Media [16]
Pollution [17]
Transportation [18]
Waste [19]
Water & Oceans [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
International [22]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Eat Local for Climate’s Sake? No, Eat Less Meat [1]
Why Parking, Long Term, Presents a Lot of Problems [24]

A new book makes the case that U.S. cities have had their environments, their housing and their businesses warped by parking policies. BookShelf contributor Jennifer Weeks, who shares her own parking-related frustrations, explores the arguments made in “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World,” and also takes a look at what the author sees as “parking-light” solutions.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [25]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [6]
Consumer [7]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Environmental Health [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Infrastructure [27]
Planning & Growth [28]
Policy [29]
Pollution [17]
Transportation [18]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
California [30]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Why Parking, Long Term, Presents a Lot of Problems [24]
In Their Own Words — Story Insights From SEJ’s 2023 Award Winners [32]

When Inside Story co-editor Rocky Kistner reviewed video statements from first-place winners of the Society of Environmental Journalists 2023 reporting awards, he found a series of striking insights into the work of environmental journalism. From environment as a true crime story and going beyond the headlines, to covering communities at risk and through powerful interests, a look at nine highly effective approaches to telling environmental stories.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [33]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [34]
Chemicals [35]
Climate Change [6]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Environmental Health [9]
Environmental Justice [36]
Environmental Politics [10]
Forests [13]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Infrastructure [27]
Journalism & Media [16]
Natural Resources [37]
People & Population [38]
Policy [29]
Pollution [17]
Waste [19]
Water & Oceans [20]
Wildlife [39]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
California [30]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [40]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [41]
International [22]
Africa [42]
South America [43]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about In Their Own Words — Story Insights From SEJ’s 2023 Award Winners [32]
On the Hunt To Know More About Chronic Wasting Disease [44]

A relative of mad cow disease is working its way across the population of deer and related cervids in North America. And the latest TipSheet cautions that it remains unclear whether this chronic wasting disease can make the leap to humans, such as millions of deer and elk hunters. What environmental journalists need to know about possible risks and precautions.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [45]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [5]
Consumer [7]
Environmental Health [9]
Food [12]
Health [15]
Journalism & Media [16]
Wildlife [39]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
International [22]
Canada [46]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about On the Hunt To Know More About Chronic Wasting Disease [44]
‘Carbon Colonialism’ Details the Exporting of Degradation, Climate Collapse [47]

The climate change debate is often so focused on fossil fuels and mining that it ignores impacts in economic, political, neo-colonial and social terms, writes BookShelf’s Melody Kemp in her review of “Carbon Colonialism: How Rich Countries Export Climate Breakdown.” Why concepts like corporate social responsibility do little to stem the losses that come with such development.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [25]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [4]
Climate Change [6]
Consumer [7]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Environmental Justice [36]
Environmental Politics [10]
Forests [13]
Health [15]
Natural Resources [37]
People & Population [38]
Policy [29]
Pollution [17]
Region:
International [22]
Asia [48]
Europe [49]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about ‘Carbon Colonialism’ Details the Exporting of Degradation, Climate Collapse [47]
Rockets and Bombs and Chemicals — The Environmental Horrors of War [50]

With the world in the midst of wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, it’s time for journalists to appraise — and report on — the intersection of conflict and the environment, argues the new Backgrounder. That means considering the environment not only as a victim of war, but also as the cause of war and a means of carrying it out.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [51]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [35]
Climate Change [6]
Disasters [52]
Environmental Health [9]
Environmental Politics [10]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Journalism & Media [16]
Military [53]
People & Population [38]
Policy [29]
Water & Oceans [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [40]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [41]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [54]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [55]
International [22]
Africa [42]
Asia [48]
Europe [49]
Middle East [56]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Rockets and Bombs and Chemicals — The Environmental Horrors of War [50]
What’s Ahead on Climate Justice, Climate Crisis Beat [57]

What environment stories will matter most in 2024 to communities of color and Indigenous communities? Columnist Yessenia Funes sheds light on concerns ranging from the environmental damage in Gaza and extreme weather across the United States to the fallout from the U.S. presidential election to the local impacts of the clean energy transition. Insights in the latest Voices of Environmental Justice.

SEJ Publication Types:
Voices of Environmental Justice [58]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [4]
Climate Change [6]
Disasters [52]
Diversity [59]
Economy & Business [8]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Environmental Justice [36]
Environmental Politics [10]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Infrastructure [27]
Journalism & Media [16]
Military [53]
People & Population [38]
Planning & Growth [28]
Policy [29]
Pollution [17]
Water & Oceans [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
Alaska and Hawaii [60]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [55]
International [22]
Middle East [56]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about What’s Ahead on Climate Justice, Climate Crisis Beat [57]
Clearing the Smoke — Collaboration Exposes Impacts of Wildfire Pollution-Reporting Rules [61]

Climate change is fueling the frequency and severity of wildfires, but a little-known Clean Air Act rule lets environmental agencies downplay the impacts of wildfire smoke. A collaborative investigation into this loophole connected dots that even the experts didn’t know about. Journalists Dillon Bergin and Molly Peterson explain their reporting process and offer advice for following your own local leads.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [62]
Climate Change [6]
Disasters [52]
Environmental Health [9]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Journalism & Media [16]
Laws & Regulations [63]
Pollution [17]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
Alaska and Hawaii [60]
California [30]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [40]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [64]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [41]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [54]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
Northwest (OR WA) [65]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [55]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [66]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Clearing the Smoke — Collaboration Exposes Impacts of Wildfire Pollution-Reporting Rules [61]
Personal Care Products — Bringing the Problems Home [67]

Health and environmental concerns about some beauty items — like the use of formaldehyde in certain hair straighteners — have started to emerge as a focus for federal regulation. But as the latest TipSheet points out, the response has been slow and fitful. Meanwhile, here are story ideas and resources to help reporters find local angles for this environmental and public health hazard.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [45]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [35]
Consumer [7]
Government [14]
Health [15]
Journalism & Media [16]
Laws & Regulations [63]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Personal Care Products — Bringing the Problems Home [67]
Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [68]

As part of its periodic survey of the compelling work by digital journalists using data and multimedia, Reporter’s Toolbox looks at some favorite projects in the last year or so. On the list are granular maps and spinning globes, compelling photo essays and clickable storytelling. But the heart of the best digital journalism, Toolbox reminds us, is that it matters. And these do.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [69]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [5]
Chemicals [35]
Climate Change [6]
Diversity [59]
Environmental Justice [36]
Fish & Fisheries [70]
Food [12]
Health [15]
Infrastructure [27]
Journalism & Media [16]
Natural Resources [37]
People & Population [38]
Pollution [17]
Water & Oceans [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [21]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
International [22]
Canada [46]
Africa [42]
Asia [48]
Europe [49]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [68]

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