Most popular stories of 2020

Our 5 most read stories of 2020

Revisit the stories and words that most resonated with our readers.

It's always something of a mystery to see what most touches readers. Black food sovereignty, DuPont's pollution, fracking and horses—this year's most read stories from our newsroom reflect true diversity in the world of environmental health.


We were delighted to see that whether essay, straight science reporting, explainer piece, or investigative feature, our work can reach millions.

Don't miss out, see what others have been reading. Below are our top five most read stories from the past year.

1. We don't farm because it's trendy; we farm as resistance, for healing and sovereignty

For more than 150 years, from the rural South to northern cities, Black people have used farming to build self-determined communities and resist oppressive structures that tear them down.

2. A lasting legacy: DuPont, C8 contamination and the community of Parkersburg left to grapple with the consequences

"We all have stories of friends and family, neighbors, dying too young or being diagnosed with various medical problems"

3. Coronavirus, climate change, and the environment

A conversation on COVID-19 with the director of Harvard University's Center of Climate, Health and the Global Environment.

4. Fracking linked to rare birth defect in horses: Study

A new study has uncovered a link between fracking chemicals in farm water and a rare birth defect in horses—which researchers say could serve as a warning about fracking and human infant health.

5. Organic diets quickly reduce the amount of glyphosate in people’s bodies

A new study found levels of the widespread herbicide and its breakdown products reduced, on average, more than 70 percent in both adults and children after just six days of eating organic.

Banner photo: Tracy Danzey grew up in polluted Parkersburg, West Virginia. (Courtesy Seth Freeman Photography)

climate-friendly colleges
Greg Walters/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowed

Want to choose a climate-friendly college? Here are some standouts.

Schools from all levels are stepping up to become climate leaders, from small liberal arts colleges in the rural Midwest to some of the largest universities in the country.
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
old coal mines heat homes in UK
Loco Steve/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowed

How old coal mines can help the climate

Old coal mines could have a role to play in heating homes, without burning fossil fuels. Martha Henriques explores the buildings heated from old mine workings.
Thailand's extreme air pollution
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash

Thailand's extreme air pollution: 'I feel sorry for my daughter'

More than 1.3 million Thais have fallen ill this year from a spike in extreme air pollution.

Rewilding animals could be key for climate: Report

A new report published in Nature Climate Change suggests that trophic rewilding, or restoring and protecting the functional roles of animals in ecosystems, is an overlooked climate solution.

Robust river governance key to restoring Mekong River vitality in face of dams

Billions of cubic meters of Mekong River water are now harnessed behind dams in the interests of power generation, severely affecting crucial physical and biological processes that sustain the river’s capacity to support life.

California’s snowpack soars to record high
Oregon State University/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowed

California’s snowpack soars to record high after 17 atmospheric rivers

This week's storm has pushed California's average snowpack past the previous record mark set in 1983.
House Republicans pass marquee energy bill
Gage Skidmore/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowed

House Republicans pass marquee energy bill in rebuke of Biden

The bill won’t advance in the Democratically controlled Senate, but Republicans can use it as a cudgel ahead of the 2024 election.
From our Newsroom
Partha Dasgupta economics of nature

An economist's 'answer to everything.' Hint: It takes nature

Economist Partha Dasgupta takes issue with our failure to account for the cost of Earth's destruction

oil and gas wells pollution

What happens if the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the US goes bankrupt?

Diversified Energy’s liabilities exceed its assets, according to a new report, sparking concerns about whether taxpayers will wind up paying to plug its 70,000 wells.

Paul Ehrlich

Paul Ehrlich: A journey through science and politics

In his new book, the famous scientist reflects on an unparalleled career on our fascinating, ever-changing planet.

oil and gas california environmental justice

Will California’s new oil and gas laws protect people from toxic pollution?

California will soon have the largest oil drilling setbacks in the U.S. Experts say other states can learn from this move.

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