popular stories 2022

Our 5 most popular reads from 2022

A corpse, woodworking dangers, plastic titans ... revisit the stories that stuck with our readers this past year.

The totals are in — here are the five most viewed stories from our newsroom in 2022.


1. A corpse in a barrel in a drying reservoir

corpse in a barrel in a drying reservoir

Our weekend columnist Peter Dykstra is always on the lookout for the weird and wacky in the environmental realm.

With this column, he found it.

2. The hidden, potential cancer-causing, danger in woodworking and art supplies

BADGE BPA chemical

Reporter Meg Wilcox did a deep dive on a scary chemical that's common in woodworking and art supplies. Might want to check this one out before your next craft night.

3. The Titans of Plastic

petrochemical shell pennsylvania plastic

In collaboration with the excellent Sierra Magazine, reporter Kristina Marusic gives readers a clear-eyed look at the multi-faceted impacts of plastics production.

4. For clean beauty brands, getting PFAS out of makeup might be easier said than done

PFAS in makeup

We spent a good part of the beginning of 2022 examining PFAS chemicals in everyday products. This investigation into makeup caught the eye of readers.

5. Chemicals in everyday products are spurring obesity, warns a new review

chemicals obesity

Our weight depends on more than diet and exercise. Reporter Grace van Deelen reported on the latest research examining a concerning class of chemicals called "obesogens."


US President Donald Trump gesturing with pointing finger.
Credit: andykatz/ BigStock Photo ID: 103507385

Trump quits pivotal 1992 climate treaty, in massive hit to global warming effort

The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change underpins global efforts to address rising temperatures.
Boeing 757 jet airplane bearing the logo of Donald Trump takes off from Laguardia New York City
Photo credit: Copyright: icholakov/ BigStock Photo ID: 102723602

Trump’s shadow looms over EU aviation emissions plan

“God only knows what the Trump administration will do” if the EU expands its aviation emissions scheme, an EU official says.
A glacier calving into sea
Photo credit: Photo by Magdalena Kula Manchee on Unsplash

Opinion: We study glaciers. ‘Artificial glaciers’ and other tech may halt their total collapse

How might we prevent sea-level rise? Satellite-based radar, solar-powered drones, robot submarines and lab-based ‘artificial glaciers’ could all play a role.

Illustration depicting pumpjacks vs solar panels & wind turbines
Credit: MIRO3D/BigStock Photo ID: 147195269

How clean energy could save us trillions

As clean energy prices fall, a fast transition to renewable energy is the cheapest option on the table. Experts say it could save us trillions in energy costs alone.
Common Spider Crab (Libinia emarginata) during Woods Hole science lesson.
Photo credit: Copyright: Wyopics/ BigStock Photo ID: 474441923

The scientists making antacids for the sea to help counter global warming

The world’s oceans are becoming dangerously acidic. A controversial proposal would raise the pH — by mixing chemicals into the water.
Crude oil and petroleum concept. Pump jack, US dollar notes and Venezuela flag background
Photo credit: Copyright: MillaF/ BigStock Photo ID: 361719841

Oil industry will eye Venezuela warily, experts say

Given Venezuela’s murky political future, few analysts expect a rush to invest the billions needed to pump more oil from the world’s largest reserves.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaking at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)
Credit: Gage Skidmore https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/ Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Chris Wright: US will control Venezuelan oil ‘indefinitely’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that oil released from tankers off Venezuela’s coast would be arriving in the U.S. “very soon.”
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.

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