Publication Items

Six Ways To Cover the Environmental Impacts of Animal Agriculture [1]

Animal agriculture is a massive industry with a vast environmental footprint, so there are plenty of reporting opportunities for journalists on the “eat beat.” In the second of two parts [2], following last week’s examination of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions, food-and-climate journalist Jenny Splitter serves up a variety of story ideas and information sources, plus some thoughts on solutions journalism.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [4]
Agriculture [5]
Air [6]
Biodiversity [7]
Climate Change [8]
Consumer [9]
Economy & Business [10]
Environmental Health [11]
Environmental Justice [12]
Environmental Politics [13]
Environmental Studies [14]
Food [15]
Forests [16]
Government [17]
Health [18]
Journalism & Media [19]
Pollution [20]
Waste [21]
Water & Oceans [22]
Wildlife [23]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
International [25]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Six Ways To Cover the Environmental Impacts of Animal Agriculture [1]
Map Model Offers Up Data on Climate Disaster-Proofing [27]

How well are U.S. communities preparing for the threats of climate change? A data-rich climate mapping resource that provides vibrant insight into resilience and adaptation can help reporters better understand the answer, even down to the neighborhood level. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox takes a closer look, including at the many data sets that feed into the resource.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [8]
Disasters [29]
Environmental Justice [12]
Journalism & Media [19]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Map Model Offers Up Data on Climate Disaster-Proofing [27]
Eat Local for Climate’s Sake? No, Eat Less Meat [2]

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 [1].

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [4]
Agriculture [5]
Climate Change [8]
Consumer [9]
Economy & Business [10]
Environmental Health [11]
Environmental Politics [13]
Environmental Studies [14]
Food [15]
Forests [16]
Government [17]
Health [18]
Journalism & Media [19]
Pollution [20]
Transportation [30]
Waste [21]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
International [25]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Eat Local for Climate’s Sake? No, Eat Less Meat [2]
How Ice Fishing Can Break the Ice on Your Local Climate Story [31]

What does dragging an old car onto an ice-covered lake have to do with informing your community about the perils of climate heating? Potentially a good deal. The latest TipSheet explains how waning winters and the potential impact on the entertaining tradition of ice fishing can serve as an entry into more serious matters. A dozen story ideas and resources to get you started.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [8]
Environmental Health [11]
Fish & Fisheries [33]
Journalism & Media [19]
Natural Resources [34]
People & Population [35]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [36]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [37]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [38]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [39]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [40]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about How Ice Fishing Can Break the Ice on Your Local Climate Story [31]
In Their Own Words — Story Insights From SEJ’s 2023 Award Winners [41]

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 [42]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [7]
Chemicals [43]
Climate Change [8]
Economy & Business [10]
Energy & Fuel [44]
Environmental Health [11]
Environmental Justice [12]
Environmental Politics [13]
Forests [16]
Government [17]
Health [18]
Infrastructure [45]
Journalism & Media [19]
Natural Resources [34]
People & Population [35]
Policy [46]
Pollution [20]
Waste [21]
Water & Oceans [22]
Wildlife [23]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
California [47]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [36]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [38]
International [25]
Africa [48]
South America [49]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about In Their Own Words — Story Insights From SEJ’s 2023 Award Winners [41]
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 [43]
Climate Change [8]
Disasters [29]
Environmental Health [11]
Environmental Politics [13]
Government [17]
Health [18]
Journalism & Media [19]
Military [52]
People & Population [35]
Policy [46]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [36]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [38]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [39]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [40]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [53]
International [25]
Africa [48]
Asia [54]
Europe [55]
Middle East [56]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- 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 [8]
Disasters [29]
Diversity [59]
Economy & Business [10]
Energy & Fuel [44]
Environmental Justice [12]
Environmental Politics [13]
Government [17]
Health [18]
Infrastructure [45]
Journalism & Media [19]
Military [52]
People & Population [35]
Planning & Growth [60]
Policy [46]
Pollution [20]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Alaska and Hawaii [61]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [40]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [53]
International [25]
Middle East [56]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about What’s Ahead on Climate Justice, Climate Crisis Beat [57]
Drainage Infrastructure Leads to Wet Basement Stories [62]

Nothing may seem more personal than a home flooded by heavy rains. But the latest TipSheet points out that for local environmental reporters, there’s a bigger story to be told: how your community regulates stormwater and storm sewers, especially in the face of climate change-driven extreme precipitation. More than a dozen reporting ideas and resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [8]
Infrastructure [45]
Journalism & Media [19]
Planning & Growth [60]
Waste [21]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [36]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [37]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [38]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Drainage Infrastructure Leads to Wet Basement Stories [62]
Watershed Data … for the Rest of Us [63]

If you find yourself covering local waterways and are not a numbers geek but still want good-quality, easy-to-use data to inform your reporting, the latest Reporter’s Toolbox has a handy web app for you. “How’s My Waterway” uses numerous authoritative government datasets in a straightforward format that’s super easy to explore. Get started with intro videos, webcasts, widgets and a ZIP code-based map.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [19]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Watershed Data … for the Rest of Us [63]
Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [64]

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 [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [5]
Chemicals [43]
Climate Change [8]
Diversity [59]
Environmental Justice [12]
Fish & Fisheries [33]
Food [15]
Health [18]
Infrastructure [45]
Journalism & Media [19]
Natural Resources [34]
People & Population [35]
Pollution [20]
Water & Oceans [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [24]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [40]
International [25]
Canada [65]
Africa [48]
Asia [54]
Europe [55]
Visibility:
Public [26]
- Read more about Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [64]

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