Take a peek into issues shaping the environment & energy in 2018 - Today, 3p EST

Society of Environmental Journalists annual "look ahead" at the Wilson Center is worth streaming: Friday, Jan. 26 from 3 to 5p EST.

Want a glimpse at what issues are on top environmental journalists minds as we head into 2018? The Society of Environmental Journalists convenes an annual roundtable discussing key events shaping the energy and environment beats. You don't want to miss it.


We'll be in front of our computers at 3p EST as speakers Jeff Burnside, a Ted Scripps journalism fellow at the University of Colorado, Thomas Lovejoy and Ed Maibach, both experts in climate science and communications at George Mason University, kick off the event.

Matthew Daley of the Associated Press, Brady Dennis of The Washington Post, Nirmal Ghosh of The Straits Times, Pat Rizzuto of Bloomberg Environment, Valerie Volcovici of Reuters and Ariel Wittenberg of E&E News round out the panel. Scott Tong, from Marketplace's Sustainability Desk, will moderate.

Full disclosure: I've been a member of SEJ since 2001, helped shape the roundtable while on the SEJ board and even moderated it one year. But as director of an online newsroom covering environmental health and climate change, I've found the event invaluable for fresh insights on how to cover - and what likely will influence - our beat.

So if you're in Washington, D.C., reserve a spot at the Wilson Center and enjoy the reception. It's all free. If, like me, you're miles away (snowy Bozeman, in my case), catch the live stream instead.

And if you're a reporter with a beat that intersects the environment even slightly, check out the Society - and this handy backgrounder by veteran SEJer and reporter Joe Davis that accompanies Friday's look ahead.

Hurricane satellite view
Credit: Getty Images For Unsplash+

The dangerous combination that made Melissa a monster hurricane

Hurricane Melissa’s power was undeniable, intensifying faster than most storms on record.
red and black heavy equipment on green grass field under white clouds during daytime
Credit: Jeff W/Unsplash

Oklahoma oil regulators failed to stop spread of toxic wastewater

Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drinking water.
An older woman with a bottle of water being taken care of by two other people during a heat wave

‘Unsustainable, unhealthy and ultimately unliveable’: Report reveals deadly cost of climate inaction

A new Lancet study finds that government delays in tackling climate change are worsening health crises worldwide, with surging heat-related deaths, air pollution fatalities, and food insecurity threatening millions.

Two construction workers on a hot roof
Credit: JSB Co.For Unsplash+

Growing threat to heat-exposed workers: chronic kidney disease

Some experts believe CKD is the first chronic illness directly linked to climate change.
A warehouse or data center sited in the middle of green fields.
Credit: Getty Images/Unsplash+

AI is pushing climate goals out of reach, new reports say

Without a big increase in investment in renewable energy globally, humanity will not limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, but much of the data center boom is powered by fossil fuels.
Pipeline running through mountainous region
Credit: Photo by GWANGJIN GO on Unsplash

Can the US and Canada revive Keystone XL?

An earlier push to build the pipeline ended during the Biden administration. Both countries could try again if they settle their trade war.
Electric vehicle plugged into charging station
Photo by Haberdoedas on Unsplash

Making EVs takes big energy, but after 2 years, they’re cleaner than gas-fueled cars, study finds

Producing and manufacturing electric vehicles and their batteries uses a lot of energy, leading many to be skeptical about the environmental benefits of going electric.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.