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."


Smiling people with signs marching in support of science.
Credit: Vlad Tchompalov/Unsplash

The state of science, one year on

How the Trump administration is redefining the way science is practiced and perceived in the United States.

EPA head Lee Zeldin at Turning Pint USA event
Credit: gage Skidmore/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Three things to watch in EPA’s endangerment repeal

The agency is close to finalizing its rollback of the endangerment finding. Legal experts say its success could hinge on these details.
Donald Trump speaking & pointing finger at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/ Creative commons: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Authoritarianism is climate policy

The Trump administration’s imperialist, repressive rampage is a classic response to an escalating crisis.

Coal burning power plant spewing emissions
Photo by Gabriela on Unsplash

Trump wants to halt almost all coal plant shutdowns. It could get messy.

Even as administration officials vowed this week to head off scheduled retirements, some aging plants are now breaking, and costs could run to the billions.
Aerial photo of coal-fired power plant
Credit: irphoto.gr/BigStock Photo ID: 4550715

Trump admin redirects carbon capture funds to prop up old coal plants

The Energy Department says it’s legally sound to shift more than half a billion dollars to help revive old and closed coal plants.

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

Talking about energy dominance? Solar would like to have a word.

We are in the solar-powered century, although some are taking their time to figure this out.
off shore wind farm against setting sun
Credit: Alexander Mils For Unsplash+

Judge allows New York offshore wind project to resume construction

A federal judge has cleared the way for a New York offshore wind project to resume construction. It’s a victory for the developer who said a Trump administration order to pause it would likely kill the project in a matter of days.
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.

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