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."


An overhead view of two rice and tofu bowls

Opinion: Plant-based diets can deliver climate and health benefits at the same time

Many choices we ask people make to help the climate don’t reveal immediate results, but we found that changing diets can have a climate benefit and quickly reduce some health risks.

A view of a prison yard

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

Two people standing at voting booths filling out ballots
Credit: Ahmed/Unsplash+

Meet the Michigan climate candidate on Trump’s radar

Sunrise Movement co-founder William Lawrence’s toss-up congressional race has drawn progressives, data center critics and the president.

A view of smokestacks emitting smoke into the air

China keeps its overseas coal promise, but the demand continues

It has been five years since China promised the United Nations to stop funding overseas coal projects.
A view of a city street with cars and tall buildings

Trump administration plans to gut clean car rules

New fuel-economy standards, which President Trump said he finalized Saturday, would kill a federal effort to speed the transition to electric vehicles.
A field of green wheat stalks under a gray sky

British farmers saw ‘disappointing’ harvest and lower crop yields after hottest summer on record

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board warned that the quality of the crops harvested has also been impacted.

A car's fuel gauge showing empty

How Trump is unintentionally helping the world’s climate

While the president remains a climate-change denier, the war with Iran has triggered an unforeseen benefit in the fight against global warming.
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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