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."


Woman wearing an orange sweatshirt holding a sign saying "There is no planet B"

US EPA head announces oil and gas emission rules rollbacks during visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Lee Zeldin announced plans for further cancellations of oil and gas regulations aimed at reducing emissions of climate-warming gasses.

An LNG tanker ship and tugs are maneuvering for docking at a gas terminal
Credit: photowrzesien/BigStock Photo ID: 412271062

Inside the web of pro-oil and gas groups shaping Canada’s climate change narrative

New research by Greenpeace Canada lays out connections between pro-fossil fuel groups working together to influence public opinion.

A herd of cattle walking across a field during sunrise

The American livestock industry’s main lobbying group treated climate change as a PR problem

More examples of the National Cattlemen’s Association’s efforts to downplay and deny the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions.

LNG tanker ship with oil and gas refinery plant in background
Credit: khunaspix/BigStock Photo ID: 89526005

A Canadian LNG project is expected to push emissions past standards

A FortisBC’s plan to further expand its decades-old LNG facility will significantly worsen pollution in neighboring communities.

Woman putting her ballot in a voting box

Climate change is on the ballot —even if Dems aren’t saying those words

The Democrats have been accused, fairly, of “climate hushing.” But they’re finding subtle ways to connect environmental issues with voters’ pocketbook concerns.
A field of flowers under a cloudy sky

Meet the flower whose evolution is outpacing climate change

Some populations of scarlet monkeyflowers can evolve fast enough to save themselves from climate change-induced drought. This is the first time researchers have documented evolutionary “self-rescue” in the wild.
Worker installing solar panels on a shingled residential rooftop
Credit: elenathewise/BigStock Photo ID: 9354038

To block solar energy projects, one community lumped them in with junkyards and adult bookstores

A local fight in Indiana shows that even streamlined permitting can’t overcome deep community resistance to solar development.
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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