Publication Items

News Can Net Eyeballs By Turning Dweebish Data Into Magic Maps [1]

When it comes to telling environment and energy stories, especially about place and scale, data visualizations can turn an average story into a standout. Reporter’s Toolbox takes a look at some recent examples of inspiring data-mapping projects that provide insight into everything from auto emissions and floods to vanishing rivers and whipping winds.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [3]
Climate Change [4]
Disasters [5]
Energy & Fuel [6]
Journalism & Media [7]
Natural Resources [8]
Pollution [9]
Transportation [10]
Water & Oceans [11]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Alaska and Hawaii [13]
California [14]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [15]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [16]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [17]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [18]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [19]
Northwest (OR WA) [20]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [21]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [22]
International [23]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about News Can Net Eyeballs By Turning Dweebish Data Into Magic Maps [1]
Another Bad-News Year Ahead for U.S. Coal? [25]

As U.S. coal’s comedown continues, our latest Issue Backgrounder takes a close look at the factors behind the industry’s decline and finds a combination of economics, competition and shifting global markets, along with aging technology, politics and environmental pushback. What’s in store for coal in 2020?

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [26]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [27]
Air [3]
Climate Change [4]
Economy & Business [28]
Energy & Fuel [6]
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [30]
Laws & Regulations [31]
Natural Resources [8]
Pollution [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Alaska and Hawaii [13]
California [14]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [15]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [16]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [17]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [18]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [19]
Northwest (OR WA) [20]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [21]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [22]
International [23]
Canada [32]
Mexico [33]
Africa [34]
Antarctica & Arctic [35]
Asia [36]
Australia & Oceania [37]
Central America & the Caribbean [38]
Europe [39]
Middle East [40]
South America [41]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Another Bad-News Year Ahead for U.S. Coal? [25]
Farms and Ranches, Possible Cause, Cure of Climate Change [42]

The links between agriculture and climate are as old as the Indus Valley Civilization and as current as this year’s Mississippi Basin floods. And stories about how each influences the other will likely unfold at an ever faster rate, according to this week’s TipSheet. The backstory, with an outline of the interactions between ag and global warming, plus story ideas and reporting resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [43]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [44]
Climate Change [4]
Food [45]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
California [14]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [16]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [22]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Farms and Ranches, Possible Cause, Cure of Climate Change [42]
Turning Whistleblowers Into Headlines Takes Skill, Patience, Luck [46]

The latest impeachment scandal engulfing the White House demonstrates how a big story can be triggered by a whistleblower. But it’s not just in the world of politics. Whistleblowers can bring hidden stories into the spotlight in the environment and energy fields too, including one involving Energy Secretary Rick Perry (left). The latest Reporter’s Toolbox looks at how reporters can work smartly with whistleblowers, with advice and resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Turning Whistleblowers Into Headlines Takes Skill, Patience, Luck [46]
SEJ Gets High in Fort Collins [47]

Missed the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual gathering in Fort Collins? Never fear, for our in-house humorist David Helvarg has herein recounted the “highs” (and paranoid lows). Among them: oddball scientists, strolls in a snow storm, bad burros and beet-based dinners. Plus, the secret strategy behind SEJ’s conference site selection.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [48]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [44]
Climate Change [4]
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Natural Resources [8]
Policy [49]
Pollution [9]
Science [50]
Wildlife [51]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [18]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about SEJ Gets High in Fort Collins [47]
Award-Winner Chronicles Radioactive Risks at Midwest Nuclear Plants [52]

A deeply documented investigation revealed serious problems in Illinois’ aging nuclear power plants, and won reporters Brett Chase and Madison Hopkins an outstanding small market investigative reporting award from the Society of Environmental Journalists last year. Chase spoke with SEJournal Online’s “Inside Story” about the “Power Struggle” project, about lessons learned and advice for other reporters. Read the Q&A.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [53]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [7]
Laws & Regulations [31]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [54]
Region:
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [15]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Award-Winner Chronicles Radioactive Risks at Midwest Nuclear Plants [52]
Grazing on Public Lands Still a Source of Controversy … and Stories [55]

As the Society of Environmental Journalists heads to Colorado this week for its annual gathering, it’s a good time to consider how to report on the vast public lands throughout the western United States. The latest TipSheet explores the history of conflict over public lands, the stories they yield and the resources needed to better report the issue.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [43]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [44]
Economy & Business [28]
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Laws & Regulations [31]
Natural Resources [8]
Policy [49]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
California [14]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [16]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [18]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [22]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Grazing on Public Lands Still a Source of Controversy … and Stories [55]
Pipeline Data Offer Story Leads [56]

Compelling pipeline stories can be found throughout the United States, but first you need to know where the pipelines are. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox looks at the best source of pipeline data, which offers a wealth of government information on location, incidents and enforcement. But there are caveats as well.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [6]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about Pipeline Data Offer Story Leads [56]
‘Waterfront Porch: Reclaiming Detroit’s Industrial Waterfront As a Gathering Place for All’ [57]

The Detroit River, a key Great Lakes shipping channel, was once the repository of millions of gallons of industrial discharge. But as a new book attests, Detroit’s industrial waterfront has in the last 50 years undergone a remarkable recovery that offers hope for the cleanup of other polluted Rust Belt towns. Read our BookShelf review.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf [58]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [5]
Economy & Business [28]
Pollution [9]
Water & Oceans [11]
Region:
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [15]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about ‘Waterfront Porch: Reclaiming Detroit’s Industrial Waterfront As a Gathering Place for All’ [57]
As Fiscal Year Ends, Local Stories Often Found in Appropriations Bills [59]

The politics of federal appropriations is convoluted, but buried within are important local environmental stories. Heading into the upcoming fiscal year, the latest TipSheet explains how the process works and where to find the news. Plus, spotting environmental pork barrel, and what a “minibus” bill is and why it matters.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [43]
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [30]
Journalism & Media [7]
Laws & Regulations [31]
Policy [49]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [24]
- Read more about As Fiscal Year Ends, Local Stories Often Found in Appropriations Bills [59]

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