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."


A aerial view of water, snow, and forested land

Sinking trees in Arctic Ocean could remove 1 billion tonnes of CO2

Sinking felled boreal trees in the Arctic Ocean could remove up to 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ yearly, but risks harming Arctic ecosystems.

A truck drives down a muddy road next to aging oil pumps

Satellite images reveal Venezuela’s massive methane problem

Satellite images show huge volumes of methane leaking from Venezuela’s aging oil and gas infrastructure, revealing both a major climate liability and billions of dollars in wasted fuel.

A businessman handing US hundred dollar bill over to another businessman

How Chevron played the long game in Venezuela

Chevron met with Trump and spent millions lobbying him to continue operating in Venezuela. Now it is uniquely positioned to profit from that.
A puppy with its face in a dog bowl

Carbon pawprint: Your dog’s dinner may have a greater climate impact than your own

"Premium" dog foods that use large amounts of prime meat are pushing up emissions, a new study warns.
A solar tower above a desert landscape with solar panels

Why California is keeping the Ivanpah solar plant running despite bipartisan calls to close it

California regulators have blocked the planned shutdown of the Ivanpah solar thermal plant, overruling both the Biden and Trump administrations amid fears of looming electricity shortages.

Panel of climate scientists onstage at COP25 Q & A
Photo credit: World Meteorological Organization, https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldmeteorologicalorganization/

What top climate scientists think of Trump’s treaty withdrawals

Though the abandonment of international agreements is “a damn shame,” they say science will prevail.
Coastal village in Greenland with multicolored homes and ice floes in the background

As Trump eyes Greenland, what could that mean for island’s mineral wealth and environment?

The Danish territory holds significant stores of oil, gas and minerals. But regulations and the extreme environment have kept the vast majority in the ground.
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.