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)

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.

HOUSTON — It was just after noon on August 26, 2024, when Shiv Srivastava recorded the skyline of Houston’s East End while an industrial flare from TPC Group roared in the distance after power loss.

Keep reading...Show less
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.
Hurricane Milton Florida
Credit: NASA Johnson/Flickr

Florida reels as Hurricane Milton knocks out power to millions

A weakening but still dangerous Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast, leaving nearly 3 million without power and causing devastating storm surges.

Richard Luscombe reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Hurricane Milton aerial image over Florida
Credit: NASA Worldview, NOAA

Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification linked to ocean heat

Hurricane Milton swiftly intensified into a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, driven by record ocean temperatures and a significant marine heat wave.

Kasha Patel, Harry Stevens, and Niko Kommenda report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Police rescue truck driving through flood water in Florida
Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife/Flickr

Polluted waste sites pose disaster risks as Hurricane Milton strikes Florida

As Hurricane Milton batters Florida’s coast, environmentalists are raising alarms about the potential for hazardous waste from the state’s phosphate fertilizer industry to contaminate waterways, with over a billion tons of radioactive waste in the storm's path.

Michael Biesecker and Jason Dearen report for the Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less

Porter Fox: Hurricane Milton shows supercharged storms are here to stay

As Hurricane Milton nears Florida with record winds of 180 mph, the rise in extreme storms is linked to fossil fuel-driven climate change and is expected to worsen, threatening regions far beyond the traditional hurricane belt.

Porter Fox writes for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
climate science ship
Credit: Joost J. Bakker/Flickr

The scientific ship that changed how we understand Earth may have sailed its last expedition

The Joides Resolution, a vessel that transformed our understanding of climate change, life’s origins, and natural disasters, faces an uncertain future after US funding was cut, jeopardizing further discoveries.

Andrea Prada Bianchi reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less

Florida's Senate candidates differ sharply on climate views

Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Republican incumbent Rick Scott present voters with starkly different approaches to climate policy as they vie for Florida's U.S. Senate seat.

Amy Green reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
environmental justice

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

climate week NYC

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

fracking pennsylvania cancer

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

homelessness climate change

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”

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