Publication Items

How Climate Change Complicates the Refugee Crisis [1]

The displacement of populations by climate impacts, while not a new phenomenon in human history, is worsening in the face of global warming’s extreme weather patterns. Yet the extensive international regime to aid refugees doesn’t cover those migrating due to flooding, drought, natural disasters or climate change. Backgrounder considers the implications and how nations will respond to the new realities.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [3]
Disasters [4]
Environmental Politics [5]
People & Population [6]
Policy [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
California [9]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [10]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [11]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [12]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [13]
International [14]
Mexico [15]
Africa [16]
Antarctica & Arctic [17]
Asia [18]
Central America & the Caribbean [19]
Europe [20]
Middle East [21]
South America [22]
Visibility:
Public [23]
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Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [24]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [25]
Climate Change [3]
Consumer [26]
Economy & Business [27]
Energy & Fuel [28]
Environmental Health [29]
Environmental Politics [5]
Government [30]
Health [31]
Journalism & Media [32]
Policy [7]
Pollution [33]
Waste [34]
Water & Oceans [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
International [14]
Asia [18]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It? [24]
Pulling Back the Curtain on the Plunder of the Planet [36]

“Pitfall: The Race to Mine the World’s Most Vulnerable Places,” a new work by investigative journalist Christopher Pollon, offers a sweeping global view of how the mining industry profits, despite causing vast environmental losses and failing to acknowledge Indigenous ownership or rights to the land it mines. BookShelf’s Melody Kemp lauds Pollon’s searing observations and investigations. Read her review.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [37]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [38]
Biodiversity [39]
Consumer [26]
Economy & Business [27]
Environmental Health [29]
Environmental Justice [40]
Environmental Politics [5]
Fish & Fisheries [41]
Forests [42]
Natural Resources [43]
Policy [7]
Pollution [33]
Technology [44]
Water & Oceans [35]
Wildlife [45]
Region:
International [14]
Africa [16]
Asia [18]
Australia & Oceania [46]
South America [22]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Pulling Back the Curtain on the Plunder of the Planet [36]
Climate Crisis Makes for Real Fashion Emergency [47]

Fast fashion’s lack of sustainability has long been the subject of news media coverage. But now the realities of climate change mean that fashion reporting must be reimagined to include the lived environmental and human rights realities of workers making what we wear, writes contributor Yessenia Funes in the new Voices of Environmental Justice column. Ideas and resources for getting past simplistic fashion industry narratives.

SEJ Publication Types:
Voices of Environmental Justice [48]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [38]
Agriculture [49]
Climate Change [3]
Consumer [26]
Economy & Business [27]
Environmental Justice [40]
Health [31]
Journalism & Media [32]
People & Population [6]
Policy [7]
Waste [34]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
International [14]
Asia [18]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Climate Crisis Makes for Real Fashion Emergency [47]
LNG To Fuel Conflict, Profit, Warming in Coming Years [50]

A partisan debate has flared over liquified natural gas, as industry, environmentalists and politicians wrangle over LNG’s role in climate change and the energy transition, heating and electricity prices, and international and domestic U.S. politics. Backgrounder lays out LNG’s history, starting with the fracking boom and bringing it up to speed with the war in Ukraine and upcoming presidential elections.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [38]
Chemicals [25]
Climate Change [3]
Energy & Fuel [28]
Environmental Politics [5]
Government [30]
Laws & Regulations [51]
Natural Resources [43]
Policy [7]
Pollution [33]
Technology [44]
Transportation [52]
Water & Oceans [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Alaska and Hawaii [53]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [11]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [12]
International [14]
Canada [54]
Mexico [15]
Asia [18]
Europe [20]
Middle East [21]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about LNG To Fuel Conflict, Profit, Warming in Coming Years [50]
Chemical Safety Board May Have Finally Cleaned Its Slate. What Now? [55]

A key U.S. federal agency tasked with investigating the nation’s industrial chemical accidents has been limping along for years. Now, the latest Issue Backgrounder reports that replenished staffing and a funding boost may mean it’s found its footing. But as the pace of chemical accidents accelerates and safety regulations stagnate, will it make a difference?

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [25]
Disasters [4]
Environmental Politics [5]
Government [30]
Laws & Regulations [51]
Policy [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
International [14]
Asia [18]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Chemical Safety Board May Have Finally Cleaned Its Slate. What Now? [55]
‘Carbon Colonialism’ Details the Exporting of Degradation, Climate Collapse [56]

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 [37]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [38]
Climate Change [3]
Consumer [26]
Economy & Business [27]
Energy & Fuel [28]
Environmental Justice [40]
Environmental Politics [5]
Forests [42]
Health [31]
Natural Resources [43]
People & Population [6]
Policy [7]
Pollution [33]
Region:
International [14]
Asia [18]
Europe [20]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about ‘Carbon Colonialism’ Details the Exporting of Degradation, Climate Collapse [56]
Rockets and Bombs and Chemicals — The Environmental Horrors of War [57]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [25]
Climate Change [3]
Disasters [4]
Environmental Health [29]
Environmental Politics [5]
Government [30]
Health [31]
Journalism & Media [32]
Military [58]
People & Population [6]
Policy [7]
Water & Oceans [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [59]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [11]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [60]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [61]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [12]
International [14]
Africa [16]
Asia [18]
Europe [20]
Middle East [21]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Rockets and Bombs and Chemicals — The Environmental Horrors of War [57]
Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [62]

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 [63]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [49]
Chemicals [25]
Climate Change [3]
Diversity [64]
Environmental Justice [40]
Fish & Fisheries [41]
Food [65]
Health [31]
Infrastructure [66]
Journalism & Media [32]
Natural Resources [43]
People & Population [6]
Pollution [33]
Water & Oceans [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [61]
International [14]
Canada [54]
Africa [16]
Asia [18]
Europe [20]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Environmental Digital Storytelling — A Best-in-Show Sampler [62]
Author Brings Far-Reaching Insight to ‘The Three Ages of Water’ [67]

Leading water expert Peter Gleick’s new book on water’s past, present and future is an ambitious volume that offers a panoramic look at this essential resource — and hope for living in harmony with it in the future. BookShelf Editor Tom Henry calls “The Three Ages of Water” a rare book of breadth and depth, part history and part sustainable remedy. Read his review.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [37]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [3]
Environmental Health [29]
Environmental Justice [40]
Food [65]
Health [31]
Natural Resources [43]
People & Population [6]
Planning & Growth [68]
Policy [7]
Science [69]
Water & Oceans [35]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [59]
International [14]
Africa [16]
Asia [18]
Visibility:
Public [23]
- Read more about Author Brings Far-Reaching Insight to ‘The Three Ages of Water’ [67]

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