Publication Items

Telling the Stories of the Silent Sentinels [1]

To many, plants are a merely green backdrop, indistinguishable and inconsequential. But, freelancer Karen Mockler says that such “plant blindness” belies an urgent need for our notice. More than a third of the world’s trees and thousands of other plant species face extinction. Their plight — and their many blessings — offer perceptive journalists a wealth of reporting and storytelling opportunities. Mockler on why to write about plants.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Air [4]
Biodiversity [5]
Climate Change [6]
Environmental Health [7]
Environmental Justice [8]
Environmental Politics [9]
Environmental Studies [10]
Food [11]
Forests [12]
Government [13]
Health [14]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Natural Resources [17]
Pollution [18]
Religion, Faith and Spirituality [19]
Science [20]
Water & Oceans [21]
Wildlife [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
California [24]
Northwest (OR WA) [25]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
International [27]
Canada [28]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Telling the Stories of the Silent Sentinels [1]
Assessing AI’s Importance in Journalism and Teaching — Part 1 [30]

Like with any new technology, the future of artificial intelligence in the newsroom and the classroom inspired excitement and fear for one journalism educator. But after experimenting with it at the University of Michigan, EJ Academy co-editor Emilia Askari gained practical insight into its smart use for teaching young reporters. Lessons on AI journalism, in Part 1 of a two-part series [31].

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ Academy [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [15]
Technology [33]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
International [27]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Assessing AI’s Importance in Journalism and Teaching — Part 1 [30]
To Give a Goldfish Agency — The Joys (and Perils) of Writing on Nonhuman Life [34]

Stories focused on nonhuman animals are a quintessential part of environmental journalism. But how writers approach these stories is evolving, in step with changing views about animal consciousness and agency. Science journalist and author Karen Pinchin explores this trend and talks about anthropomorphism, anthropodenialism, metaphors, language, writing from the perspective of animal protagonists and more.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [5]
Journalism & Media [15]
Religion, Faith and Spirituality [19]
Science [20]
Water & Oceans [21]
Wildlife [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
International [27]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about To Give a Goldfish Agency — The Joys (and Perils) of Writing on Nonhuman Life [34]
Climate Action Looks First To Go Under New Administration [35]

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pull the United States out of the Paris climate treaty and to maximize U.S. fossil fuel production. And as the transition to his incoming administration unfolds, he has named a cabinet replete with climate action skeptics. But will all that stop the transition to cleaner power? The latest EJ TransitionWatch has an assessment.

SEJ Publication Types:
EJ TransitionWatch [36]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [3]
Climate Change [6]
Consumer [37]
Energy & Fuel [38]
Environmental Politics [9]
Government [13]
Infrastructure [39]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Policy [40]
Pollution [18]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
International [27]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Climate Action Looks First To Go Under New Administration [35]
Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [41]

Illicit trade in wild animals and plants is a billion-dollar global business that threatens biodiversity and human health. Endless reporting opportunities range from exposing corruption and criminal networks to debunking claims about products derived from endangered species. Journalist Rene Ebersole shares insights from her 20 years on the trail of wildlife smugglers, poachers and other environmental lawbreakers — and introduces a new nonprofit dedicated to this beat.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [5]
Consumer [37]
Economy & Business [42]
Fish & Fisheries [43]
Government [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Wildlife [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
California [24]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [44]
International [27]
Mexico [45]
Africa [46]
Central America & the Caribbean [47]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade – Story Ideas, Safety Tips and More [41]
The Resilient Sea Turtle, Beset by Threats [48]

Sea turtles are in decline across the globe, victims of coastal development, algal blooms and, perhaps cruelest of all, plastic pollution. Marine biologist Christine Figgener, in a new book part memoir and part field guide, recounts the less than glamorous but rewarding work to spare them extinction, from arduous field work to viral video epiphanies. BookShelf editor Tom Henry reviews “My Life With Sea Turtles.”

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [49]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [5]
Climate Change [6]
Environmental Health [7]
Environmental Studies [10]
Fish & Fisheries [43]
Pollution [18]
Science [20]
Water & Oceans [21]
Wildlife [22]
Region:
International [27]
Central America & the Caribbean [47]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about The Resilient Sea Turtle, Beset by Threats [48]
Threats of Media Censorship Cloud COP29 [50]

Again this year, a petrostate hosts the COP climate gathering. Azerbaijan as host not only raises questions of how an oil-rich nation can help foster the fossil fuel cuts needed to stem climate change. But WatchDog Opinion also worries what Azerbaijan’s poor press freedom record will mean for journalists covering the gathering and for the civil society that normally enlivens the meeting.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog [51]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [52]
Climate Change [6]
Economy & Business [42]
Energy & Fuel [38]
Environmental Justice [8]
Environmental Politics [9]
Government [13]
Journalism & Media [15]
Policy [40]
Region:
International [27]
Asia [53]
Europe [54]
Middle East [55]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Threats of Media Censorship Cloud COP29 [50]
As COP29 Begins, Where Can You Get Good Climate Emissions Data? [56]

The United Nation’s annual climate change meeting is underway this week and if you’re seeking databases on greenhouse gas emissions, the latest Reporter’s Toolbox suggests they might not be from the U.N. Instead, look for the best data from the European Commission’s EDGAR project. What makes EDGAR’s data particularly strong and how to make the best use of it in your reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [57]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [6]
Government [13]
Science [20]
Region:
International [27]
Asia [53]
Europe [54]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about As COP29 Begins, Where Can You Get Good Climate Emissions Data? [56]
Small Fry — How to Tell Compelling Stories About Obscure Species [58]

Getting people excited about large, charismatic wildlife is easy, but tiny, little-known or less-than-lovable species can be a tough sell. Journalists Bethany Brookshire and Douglas Main on why it’s important to include oddball organisms in your reporting and how to get audiences engaged. Pro tip: Building curiosity and caring for minor-league creatures often means being a bit self-centered.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [5]
Climate Change [6]
Environmental Health [7]
Forests [12]
Journalism & Media [15]
Science [20]
Wildlife [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [44]
International [27]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about Small Fry — How to Tell Compelling Stories About Obscure Species [58]
How Climate Change Complicates the Refugee Crisis [59]

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 [60]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [6]
Disasters [61]
Environmental Politics [9]
People & Population [62]
Policy [40]
Region:
National (U.S.) [23]
California [24]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [63]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [64]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [44]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
International [27]
Mexico [45]
Africa [46]
Antarctica & Arctic [65]
Asia [53]
Central America & the Caribbean [47]
Europe [54]
Middle East [55]
South America [66]
Visibility:
Public [29]
- Read more about How Climate Change Complicates the Refugee Crisis [59]

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