Publication Items

Reporters Expose Failed Systems After Hurricane Ian, Maui Fires [1]

In the wake of two major disasters, beat reporters at The Washington Post examined systemic failures in response and recovery, and the human toll for affected communities. Journalist Brianna Sacks shares what she learned from those investigations, which won a large market award for beat reporting from the Society of Environmental Journalists. Read our Inside Story Q&A.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Environmental Politics [4]
Journalism & Media [5]
People & Population [6]
Policy [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
California [9]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Reporters Expose Failed Systems After Hurricane Ian, Maui Fires [1]
Hazard Duty — Government Data Portals Help Report Extreme Weather [12]

When it comes to tracking weather phenomena from heat waves and tornadoes to wildfire smoke or storm surge, environmental journalists could hardly do better than the vast array of data from the National Weather Service, writes the latest Reporter’s Toolbox. A tour of data maps and viewers, forecasts and weather insights from the large scale to the local.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Disasters [3]
Journalism & Media [5]
Science [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Hazard Duty — Government Data Portals Help Report Extreme Weather [12]
Graphic Content — Journalistic Lessons From Crossing Genres [16]

Today’s teens are growing up in a world of conspicuous climate change, often directly affected by its consequences. Despite their youth, some are at the forefront of the fight against this threat. Freelance journalist and author Meera Subramanian — co-creator of a new nonfiction graphic novel about young climate campaigners — on teens as sources, activism as a topic and the pleasures of collaboration. See a sample of the book [17].

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [19]
Biodiversity [20]
Climate Change [14]
Disasters [3]
Diversity [21]
Environmental Health [22]
Environmental Justice [23]
Environmental Politics [4]
Environmental Studies [24]
Health [25]
Journalism & Media [5]
Pollution [26]
Religion, Faith and Spirituality [27]
Science [15]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [28]
International [29]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Graphic Content — Journalistic Lessons From Crossing Genres [16]
What Is the Half-Life of a Nuclear Revival? Part 2 [30]

Is the United States in the midst of a “nuclear renaissance”? This two-part Backgrounder explores the question, with a look at next-gen reactor design, the (lack of) independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and what to do with nuclear waste. Plus, see Part 1 [31] on the government role in developing nuclear power and an earlier effort at industry rebirth.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Energy & Fuel [33]
Environmental Politics [4]
Laws & Regulations [34]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [35]
Policy [7]
Technology [36]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
International [29]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about What Is the Half-Life of a Nuclear Revival? Part 2 [30]
What Is the Half-Life of a Nuclear Revival? Part 1 [31]

Is the United States in the midst of a “nuclear renaissance”? This two-part Issue Backgrounder explores that question, beginning in Part 1 with a look at the government’s part in developing nuclear power, including through subsidies, as well as why the new reactors built earlier in the 2000s didn’t really make the case for the industry’s rebirth.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [32]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Energy & Fuel [33]
Environmental Politics [4]
Laws & Regulations [34]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [35]
Policy [7]
Technology [36]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
International [29]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about What Is the Half-Life of a Nuclear Revival? Part 1 [31]
‘Poisoned for Gold’ Project Pricks Nation’s Conscience [37]

Two Ghanian video journalists traveled their country to document how contamination from illegal gold mining was harming the health of workers and nearby communities. Their resulting reporting not only won acclaim from their peers but also ignited a debate that resulted in the closing of polluting mining operations. Read more about their award-winning project and its impact in Inside Story Q&A.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [38]
Disasters [3]
Economy & Business [39]
Environmental Health [22]
Environmental Justice [23]
Health [25]
Journalism & Media [5]
Natural Resources [40]
People & Population [6]
Pollution [26]
Waste [41]
Water & Oceans [42]
Region:
International [29]
Africa [43]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about ‘Poisoned for Gold’ Project Pricks Nation’s Conscience [37]
Environmental Journalists in a Perilous Era — A Survival Guide [44]

Political upheaval. Economic uncertainty. Security fears. Today’s environmental journalism landscape is strewn with hazards. But whether you’re a freelancer or a staffer, you don’t have to face them alone. In fact, the best strategies for coping with on-the-job risks and riding out these tumultuous times involve community and collaboration. Contributors Madeline Ostrander and Michael Bradbury share insights and advice.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Economy & Business [39]
Government [45]
Journalism & Media [5]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Environmental Journalists in a Perilous Era — A Survival Guide [44]
Fire Sleuths Can Spark Story Ideas With Wildland Urban Interface Data Maps [46]

Communities surrounded by forest can be a beautiful place to live … or a wildfire trap. Environmental journalists can readily map and identify these so-called wildland urban interfaces through a federal government resource, writes the latest Reporter’s Toolbox. More on this data mapping tool and how to use it to track your area’s risk, explore historical trends and layer other data.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [13]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Environmental Studies [24]
Forests [47]
Government [45]
Journalism & Media [5]
People & Population [6]
Planning & Growth [48]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Alaska and Hawaii [49]
California [9]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Fire Sleuths Can Spark Story Ideas With Wildland Urban Interface Data Maps [46]
Beyond the Fires and Floods — Comprehensively Covering Disasters [50]

Reporting on extreme-weather disasters is complicated, challenging work. Besides covering immediate impacts, there’s the broader context to consider, from climate change to social and political dynamics — all while looking out for your personal safety and well-being. Environmental journalist Colleen Hagerty draws on her own and others’ front-line experiences as she shares insights and advice for telling these high-stakes stories.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Disasters [3]
Diversity [21]
Environmental Justice [23]
Government [45]
Journalism & Media [5]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
California [9]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [10]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Beyond the Fires and Floods — Comprehensively Covering Disasters [50]
Is Disaster Aid Backlog Becoming a (Blue State) Disaster? [51]

A critical logjam is emerging for post-disaster aid to U.S. states, $11 billion or more, according to some calculations. At the same time, FEMA, which dispenses much of it, is in the Trump administration’s crosshairs. TipSheet explores how this looks on the ground and how politics play into the backlog, plus offers 10 story ideas and resources for local reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [52]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [14]
Disasters [3]
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [45]
Journalism & Media [5]
Policy [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [8]
Visibility:
Public [11]
- Read more about Is Disaster Aid Backlog Becoming a (Blue State) Disaster? [51]

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