Publication Items

CAFO SNAFU — Why Emissions Data Are So Hard To Find [1]

Sometimes the challenge for environmental reporters is a mess of data. But sometimes it’s just less data. That’s the case with confined animal feed operations, which have been the subject of a years-long political tug of war over tracking emissions harmful to humans and the environment. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explains, then offers alternate sources for CAFO data.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Air [4]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Justice [7]
Environmental Politics [8]
Food [9]
Health [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Pollution [13]
Waste [14]
Water & Oceans [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about CAFO SNAFU — Why Emissions Data Are So Hard To Find [1]
When Extreme Weather Amplifies Hazardous Waste Threats [18]

Toxic waste is bad enough when it’s in one spot. But it can be even more dangerous when it is made mobile by climate-induced natural disasters. The latest TipSheet looks at just a few of the problems that can arise — or have already arisen. Plus, story ideas and reporting resources to cover this issue in your locale.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [19]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [4]
Chemicals [20]
Climate Change [21]
Disasters [22]
Environmental Health [6]
Health [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
People & Population [23]
Pollution [13]
Waste [14]
Water & Oceans [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [24]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [25]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about When Extreme Weather Amplifies Hazardous Waste Threats [18]
Tilling the Storytelling Fields on the Food, Ag and Environment Beat [26]

In his more than a decade at the helm of the Food & Environment Reporting Network, Samuel Fromartz was instrumental in shaping a new way of covering food, agriculture and environmental issues. As he prepares to turn over the top editor’s job to his successor, Fromartz talks about FERN’s innovative business model and the power of narrative.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [27]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Biodiversity [28]
Climate Change [21]
Consumer [29]
Economy & Business [5]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Justice [7]
Food [9]
Government [30]
Health [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
Pollution [13]
Waste [14]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about Tilling the Storytelling Fields on the Food, Ag and Environment Beat [26]
New TSCA Chemical Data Can Help Deepen Reporting [31]

Most environmental journalists are familiar with the Toxics Release Inventory as a data reporting tool. But there’s another potentially useful chemical reporting database, this one focused on the highest-volume chemicals. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explores the Chemical Data Reporting National Review, reports on how its data is gathered and shares its strengths — and some weaknesses.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [20]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Pollution [13]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about New TSCA Chemical Data Can Help Deepen Reporting [31]
With 'Silent Spring Revolution,' Historian Brings Pivotal Environmental Era to Life [32]

For BookShelf Editor Tom Henry, historian Douglas Brinkley's latest volume is a remarkable opportunity for anyone seeking an in-depth understanding of the “Great Environmental Awakening” and the myriad personalities that helped drive it. And not just the names you’d expect, but unlikely ones such as convicted Watergate figure John Ehrlichman, MLK Jr. widow Coretta Scott King and UAW President Walter Reuther. Discover what other lessons abound in this “utterly brilliant” new book.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [33]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [34]
Environmental Justice [7]
Environmental Politics [8]
Government [30]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Policy [35]
Pollution [13]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about With 'Silent Spring Revolution,' Historian Brings Pivotal Environmental Era to Life [32]
Seasonal Fishing Stories Reflect a Changing Environment [36]

As fishing season begins in many parts of the United States, climate change and pollution can make the sport a, well, can of worms. For the latest TipSheet, though, that means insights and stories for environmental journalists. A thumbnail on key issues, with story ideas and reporting resources. Plus, for those going to #SEJ2023 Boise, famed fishing spots.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [19]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [21]
Environmental Health [6]
Fish & Fisheries [37]
Journalism & Media [11]
Pollution [13]
Water & Oceans [15]
Wildlife [38]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [39]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about Seasonal Fishing Stories Reflect a Changing Environment [36]
Is EV-Driven Demand for Lithium on Collision Course With Environment Concerns? [40]

The push to replace gas-guzzling vehicles with electric-powered alternatives is hitting significant speed bumps. The existing supply of lithium for batteries can’t keep up with demand, and new mining proposals often face opposition from area residents worried about local impacts. Radio reporter David Boraks has been covering one such conflict in North Carolina. He shares his insights and reporting tips.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [27]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [34]
Agriculture [3]
Air [4]
Biodiversity [28]
Climate Change [21]
Consumer [29]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [41]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [8]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Natural Resources [42]
Policy [35]
Pollution [13]
Technology [43]
Transportation [44]
Water & Oceans [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
California [45]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [39]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [24]
International [46]
Asia [47]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about Is EV-Driven Demand for Lithium on Collision Course With Environment Concerns? [40]
Finding the Secret Rail Hazmat Routes Near You [48]

Under federal rules, states can decide whether to divulge information about hazardous materials rolling along their railways — and mostly they don’t. Not knowing where and when hazmat trains are traveling or what’s on board creates anxiety and raises the risk for those who live near the tracks. TipSheet offers resources and step-by-step instructions for investigating railway hazmat threats to your community.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [19]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [20]
Disasters [22]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [41]
Environmental Health [6]
Government [30]
Health [10]
Infrastructure [49]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Policy [35]
Pollution [13]
Transportation [44]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [50]
International [46]
Canada [51]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about Finding the Secret Rail Hazmat Routes Near You [48]
From Swine Waste, Student Journalist Extracts Prize-Winning Story [52]

Industrial hog farmers tout swine biogas as a clean, green energy source, but others point to its messy side. A young journalist who investigated the underreported stench of environmental racism associated with this technology learned valuable lessons along the way to producing a feature story that won her a Society of Environmental Journalists’ award for outstanding student reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ Academy [53]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Air [4]
Chemicals [20]
Diversity [54]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [41]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Justice [7]
Environmental Politics [8]
Food [9]
Government [30]
Health [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Pollution [13]
Science [55]
Technology [43]
Waste [14]
Water & Oceans [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [24]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about From Swine Waste, Student Journalist Extracts Prize-Winning Story [52]
Will Thousands of Orphan Wells Be Safely Plugged? [56]

Abandoned oil and gas wells are found in significant numbers in some 27 states. Reporters who want to track their status can dig into several databases, but will need to support their data crunching with lots of shoe-leather and ground-truth reporting. Reporter’s Toolbox has insights into what the databases offer. Plus, a primer on API numbers.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [4]
Climate Change [21]
Economy & Business [5]
Energy & Fuel [41]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [8]
Government [30]
Health [10]
Infrastructure [49]
Journalism & Media [11]
Laws & Regulations [12]
Natural Resources [42]
Policy [35]
Pollution [13]
Technology [43]
Water & Oceans [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [16]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [57]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [25]
International [46]
Canada [51]
Visibility:
Public [17]
- Read more about Will Thousands of Orphan Wells Be Safely Plugged? [56]

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